Ethics is concerned with the kinds of values and morals an individual or a society finds desirable or appropriate. Furthermore, ethics is concerned with the virtuousness of individuals and their motives. A leader's choices are also influenced by their moral development. ]
According to social learning theory ethical leaders acts as role models for their followers. Behaviour, such as following ethical practices and taking ethical decisions, are observed, and consequently followed. Rewards and punishments given out by the leader create a second social learning opportunity, that teaches which behaviour is acceptably and which is not.
In social exchange theory the effect of ethical leadership on followers is explained by transactional exchanges between the leader and their followers. The leader's fairness and caring for followers activates a reciprocatory process, in which the followers act in the same manner towards the leader.
A commonly used measure of ethical leadership is the Ethical Leadership Scale (ELS), developed by Brown et al. in 2005. It consists of 10 items with an internal consistency of alpha -.92 and shows a satisfying fit, with indices at or above recommended standards. Other scales include the ethical leadership at work questionnaire proposed by Professor Frits Kalshoven and the ethical leadership questionnaire composed by Gary Yukl in 2013.
Though conceptionally close to and partly overlapping with other leadership styles such as transformational leadership, spiritual leadership and authentic leadership, ethical leadership nonetheless describes a unique leadership style with noticeable differences. The most apparent differentiating feature is ethical leadership's focus on the setting of moral standards and moral management, which sets it apart from transformation leadership's focus on vision and values and spiritual leadership's focus on hope and faith. Additionally, the nature of ethical leadership lies in the awareness of others, and not of the self, differentiating it clearly from authentic leadership.
We have to return to what Nelson Mandela called the ‘RDP of the Soul’ when he bemoaned the speed with which South Africans want to accumulate wealth instead of helping others.
Whenever we celebrate a significant event, such as the birth of Nelson Mandela or as is the case now, National Women’s Month, there is a call not to only set a month aside for commemorations.
But, argue those who want more from society, let’s make the principles that underpinned the life of Mandela or Women’s Month a way of life, a set of ethics that will unite Africans to do the right thing all the time.
We also did not make a stand over what we felt are a set of ethics that would be embraced and advanced by all Africans. It is fair to say that each language or colour group has continued on its own way, following its version of what is ethical, without giving a thought to a common set of ethics for all.
It is time to stop this ingrained way of following different ethics for different groups. We need to make every day a Mandela Day, as well as turn each day into one that is free of violence against women, children, the elderly and men. We need to change not only for the sake of our children but for our own sake as well.
African countries demand this of us: to choose an exemplary living, caring for others and to turn our back on a lifestyle that glitters with the rewards that a life of no ethics brings. Africa should be committed to building ethical states in which corruption, patronage, rent-seeking and the plundering of public money will not find a home. Every day should be a new dawn day, a day on which African can harvest the joy of having overcome colonialism, slavery and exploitation. Each should also be dedicated to ending patriarchy. The time for real renewal is now.
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