So, what would different look like. I spoke in the first part of this blog about what can happen when poor decisions are made. I talked about leaders doing things because they could and the danger of ignoring what was the right thing to do.  But very few of us want to do harm. We want to do good. However, circumstances, ego, culture, and the influence of others can become the overarching influence where good becomes less easy to do. 

I believe that leaders who set good examples and make good decisions are more likely to surround themselves by people who share their values and beliefs. Those people therefore more likely to make good, ethical decisions. These are the leaders that we want to see. But how do we get them? 

In my Friday Thoughts last week, I mentioned a quote from Margaret Wheatley. She said, ‘leadership is a series of behaviours rather than a role for heroes.’ Her example was set in the world of politics, but I think it can just as easily fit into any organisation especially the NHS. I spoke about leaders being put on pedestals and then falling off because they could not be the leader that their followers wanted them to be. This made me wonder if we ask too much of our leaders. If they make bad ethical decisions and set poor examples for others, is it all down to them, are they bad people or is it because they are often doing an impossible job in impossible circumstances? 

Are they trying to fix what can’t be fixed? Wheatley’s solution was to allow heroes to become hosts and to encourage us the followers to be more active in working with, instead of what is often the case, against the leader. This would mean that the leader needs to let go and trust their team and the team needs to trust their leader. Both leaders and followers need to be able to check and challenge in a safe, nurturing environment where their decisions are made on a foundation of doing what is right and where strong ethical values are not just respected but encouraged. 

I also believe that one of the strongest tools that we can use to create this environment is coaching. Leaders need to see that followers are equipped not just with the confidence but also the language necessary to have meaningful conversations. They need to put things in place that helps people to understand who they are, what their purpose is and how they can keep their moral compass in sight.