New Views on Ethical Leadership

            My views on ethics have really changed during these two weeks at Brown.  Before taking the ethical leadership class, I just thought of ethics as "doing the right thing".  I didn't know there were competing theories on how important being ethical really is, or on what is considered ethical.  By studying different leadership styles,  I believe I now have a much clearer understanding of what type of leadership I'm draw to.  Though I found studying him immensely interesting, it didn't take me long to realize that I was uncomfortable with Machiavelli's theory of necessary evils.  That is a type of ethical leadership that I would not be satisfied with.  I was far more drawn to the leadership style of Nelson Mandela in Invictus.  I appreciated his "lead by example" approach, and his ability to lead from within- to create a circumstance in which social change can occur, as opposed to forcing people to change.  I was also drawn to his respect for others, and his genuineness.  I could only hope to live up the standards Mandela set with his leadership. 

            I also found the 7 Cs to be helpful, because they allowed me to more constructively assess what leadership aspects are strengths of mine, and which ones are weaknesses.  It also showed me how one could utilize those different aspects of leadership in different situations.  A consciousness of self may be important in a particular situation, and collaboration important in another.  A good leader recognizes which traits are needed, and applies them.

            In future leadership positions, I hope to be capable of listening to, and considering the opinions of others, while maintaining a confidence in my own values or convictions.  I also hope to effectively demonstrate the 7 Cs, and to inspire others to toward social change.