As a result, when trying to uphold moral obligations to society as a whole, those in formal leadership positions are often challenged to determine what is right or wrong, what they ought to do and not do, and which perspective is most ethically correct and fair when multiple options are in front of them. Unfortunately since this process is hard and often complex, there are no easy answers for leaders as how to circumvent ethical dilemmas from occurring in the first place. In today’s world, unethical behavior and corrupt, unchecked decision-making processes has led to scandals of various kinds. From Enron to Madoff to Volkswagen to Wells Fargo to the Catholic Church to the Entertainment Industry, Sports Teams and Educational and Governmental Institutions, and so many in between, we continually hear about the high cost that comes when trust is compromised by unethical leaders and even their employees and followers. But when not much happens as a consequence, the result is even greater distrust, rising cynicism and calls for change – even though it is often unclear what changes need to take place – or how to go about them. 

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One thing is clear however. All the great-sounding excuses that people give as to why they avoid addressing ethical issues without or within simply won't cut it any longer. As the saying goes, you can run but you cannot hide. Current and advancing technology has made it abundantly obvious that what we say and do can be captured on recordings and instantly displayed for the world to see - and now with AI can be manipulated by nefarious actors. Texts, emails, and internet searches are never entirely wiped away. Any past skeletons or behavioral discretions have a higher potential of being exposed than ever before, and more people are speaking up where they once were intimidated by threats and silenced by NDAs. The planet has become a small town, and if you ever lived in one, you're already familiar with having to keep your nose clean because your fellow townspeople know everybody's business and gossip is a form of entertainment. 

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With all the calls for transparency, accountability and authenticity, it simply isn't smart to speak and act in ways that are not Ethically Intelligent, regardless of your religious, spiritual or philosophical beliefs, for as we know, those three do not always keep unethical beliefs, choices and decisions at bay, especially when people cherry-pick what they want to adhere to and ignore or distort what they don't like to fit their needs.

 

The status quo of dysfunctional cultures and leadership - no matter whether if it's at home, school, work, and as global citizens directly impacted by the actions of others isn't something we can ignore and just "hope" gets better all by itself.

 

Can you - or your organization - afford to have any part of your life be mindless and unconscious – regardless if it is within your personal life, your professional life, within your family and intimate relationships, your social world, within your faith or political beliefs, and how you acknowledge your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs – as well as those of others? 

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How are you showing up in any given moment? What about your Team Members? What will be your legacy?

 

The good news is that just like Emotional and Social Intelligence, Ethical Intelligence can be learned and directly applied in all areas of your life, starting right now. In fact, Ethical Intelligence acts as a system of "checks and balances" to help ensure you don't use the other two to perpetuate a fear-driven, dysfunctional worn-out status quo that enables you to "spin" whatever you think, do and say as acceptable - even when you know in your heart it isn't.