Virtues of Ethical Leadership
How do we develop as ethical leaders?
What core skills and ideas make us effective at empowering others to improve the world?
The ELA Virtues of Ethical Leadership combine ancient concepts with modern situations and terminology. We believe that these virtues, as a whole, help us to be more effective leaders. They are the capacities that help us empower others to improve the world. We invite leaders to use it as a framework for personal development and discussion.
Aristotle (among others) observed that people flourish by cultivating certain traits, which he called arête, translated as “virtues.” These virtues encompass a wide range of qualities: moral and practical, public and private. Virtues also reflect moderation: we locate the virtue of courage, for example, midway between cowardice and foolhardiness. Finally, virtues function together, so an excellent human being must exhibit the full set of virtues to some degree. This account of character development stands as an enduring and influential part of the Western philosophical tradition.
We live in a culturally and intellectually diverse world, with many concepts of human flourishing. Rather than attempt to address human development in full, we at ELA advocate for a more focused set of virtues centering on ethical leadership, which we describe as empowering others to improve the world.
Virtues of Ethical Leadership
Quick Reference Guide
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Tools & Materials
The Virtues of Ethical Leadership
Self-Inventory (VELSI)
Ethical Leaders in Action (ELA) designed this inventory to determine how an individual’s leadership orientation fits the Virtues of Ethical Leadership Model. It is not meant to judge or predict the behaviors or effectiveness of a leader which, we believe, is too complex for any model or instrument to accomplish. Although professional debriefing is suggested it is not required to utilize this inventory effectively.
When you take the VELSI you will receive an e-mail with the following.
- Your responses
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Technical Specifications for the VELSI/VELFA are also available. DOWNLOAD PDF
The Virtues of Ethical Leadership
Feedback Assessment (VELFA)
We develop virtues through practice and reflection, alone and especially in relationships with others. Ethical leaders rely on one another to develop these capacities and to apply them in their leadership. The VELFA allows ethical leaders to understand how they are perceived by others. This allows leaders to align their intent with their behaviors and perception by others.
The Process
The participant chooses a number of people they are in relationship with to supply feedback. The structure of the VELFA assessment is the same as the VELSI. The chosen people will help by:
- assessing how often they see the features that make up the Virtues of Ethical Leadership
- suggesting which features, if seen more, would enhance their perception of the participant as an ethical leader.
Next, a qualified Ethinact consultant reviews the results with each participant. From the time we receive the respondent list it takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to get the final results of a VELFA.