What makes an ethical and responsible leader?

Leadership includes both self-leadership and leadership of people in different contexts. While everyone has the potential to be a leader, becoming an ethical and responsible leader requires specific skills and attributes. 

Some people believe anyone can become a leader because of their genetic background, while others argue that leaders are made. Whether leaders are born or made, they are expected to possess particular skills and characteristics to lead their roles effectively. 

Parami's sophomore student, Hsu Wutt Hmone Toe, is deeply interested in leadership. She usually spends her free time exploring words and concepts related to leadership. She has completed her service learning at Inkululeko, where she was responsible for creating a book catalog, writing about the importance of leadership, and creating a learner management handbook. 

One of Parami’s service-learning program goals is to foster leadership skills in students. While working for community organizations, students are encouraged to hone their leadership skills, compassionate service, and other skills such as collaboration and communication.  

To Hsu, leadership is not only about leading others but also about embodying the standards you set for them. She stated, "I have seen a lot of leaders during my time in school, community, and work, and some people holding leadership positions are not ethically doing their roles." This inspired her to share and educate people about leadership.

Based on her experience observing leadership styles across contexts, Hsu shared the five top characteristics that encourage ethical and responsible leadership: kindness, empathy, courage, responsibility, and inclusivity.

According to Hsu, with kindness, a leader can create a positive and supportive work environment for their followers. Empathy helps a leader connect with their followers and understand their difficulties. As a leader, courage is crucial to standing up for oneself and others when experiencing unequal treatment. Leaders must be responsible for their words and actions. Lastly, factoring in inclusivity in leadership is vital. A leader needs to embrace and promote diversity, ensuring everyone in the group feels included, regardless of race, religion, or background.