Ethical Leadership: Guiding Principles for Educators and Administrators
Christian Perspectives in Education
Ethical Leadership: Guiding Principles for Educators and Administrators
Mary P. Sullivan 0 1 2
0 Thi s Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Education at
1 Sullivan, Mary P. (2009) "Ethical Leadership: Guiding Principles for Educators and Administrators," Christian Perspectives in Education , 2(2). Available at:
2 Liberty University
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Ethical Leadership 1
Ethical Leadership: Guiding Principles for Educators and Administrators
Codes of ethics for professionals in numerous disciplines have taken on significance in
recent years. The unethical conduct of chief executive officers and their colleagues in the
business world and the horrendous sexual misconduct of teachers with students are just a few
examples of unacceptable behaviors making headlines in America. In addition, the many
incidents which never make the evening news but are handled more quietly within organizations
or communities, potentially cause considerable harm, and consequences must follow.
Establishing a code of ethics for particular professions is a step toward creating an ethical
environment. However, this simply is not enough. Each person within the organization must
buy in to the standard and elect to operate within its moral confines. While some codes of ethics
carry consequences for those who violate the standards, others exist simply as a guideline for
professionals, in which violations are not explicitly punishable.
Though some rules or codes of ethics deal with moral issues, the codes do not fully cover
the moral principles by which ethical, Christian leaders should conduct themselves. While
educators may be bound by any number of codes of ethics as established by governing agencies
and professional associations, ethical educational leaders must elect to govern themselves by the
highest of standards. Despite one’s leadership style, ethics remains at the core of effective
leadership. Establishing a personal code of ethics to govern oneself in the professional capacity
of an educational leader is an initial step toward creating an ethical environment for oneself and
for one’s subordinates.
Ethical Leadership 2
Ethical leaders must seek first godly wisdom, knowledge, and guidance. Through prayer,
Bible study and interaction with other Christians, ethical leaders can gain wisdom to guide their
decision making. Proverbs is full of verses reminding Christians to seek godly wisdom. This is
no less important for Christian leaders working within the educational profession. As Proverbs
2:3-6 (New King James Version) instructs:
If you cry out for discernment,/And lift up your voice for understanding,/If you seek her
as silver,/And search for her as for hidden treasures;/Then you will understand the fear of
the Lord,/And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth
come knowledge and understanding.
It is essential that ethical school leaders seek wisdom and knowledge from God and that they
trust in Him for insight.
Proverbs 8:12 reminds Christians, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,/And find out
knowledge and discretion.” Wise leaders carefully consider situations and are discerning in their
Ethical Leadership 3
judgment. The followers of such leaders can clearly see these characteristics in their leaders and
may be more likely to trust them. Trust is built through ethical decision-making.
In essence, what is important here is spiritual wisdom. Christians are cautioned against
worldly wisdom in 1 Corinthians 3:18: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you
seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of
this world is foolishness with God.” Though Christian leaders are expected to have job
knowledge and exercise discretion in dealing with people and situations, wisdom is a godly
quality, achieved only through a mature relationship with Christ. A Christian leader must desire
to demonstrate Godly wisdom, for as the scripture says in 1 Corinthians 2: 4-5, “And my speech
and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the
Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of
God.” Ethical leaders lead such that their followers know their wisdom is not earthly wisdom,
but spiritually-fed wisdom granted by God.
Wisdom is the foundation for leadership and it comes from God alone. As evidenced by
Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,/Like the rivers of water, He turns it
wherever He wishes.” Christian leaders know from Whom they receive their instruction.
Passionate Vision
Leaders are visionaries with a passion. They see the bigger picture and they look toward
creating an improved future for all of their followers. Leaders, such as those in Hebrews, saw the
far-away promise. Their leadership power for the present existed because of their vision for the
future
(Maxwell, 2002, p. 151 (...truncated)