In A Practical Guide to Ethics: Living and Leading with Integrity, Rita Manning and Scott Stroud emphasize that respect is essential for fostering smoother interactions, regardless of our differences. They argue that showing respect acknowledges the life goals and struggles of others. It also reflects an ethical consideration of others in our decision-making processes, highlighting that ethical leadership involves more than just pursuing our interests—it requires recognizing and valuing the well-being of others.
Respect signifies our awareness of belonging to the broader “human group,” which carries inherent rights and responsibilities. When we act with respect, we pursue our objectives in a way that honors the goals of others. The concept of “civility” has gained attention as a key element of moral leadership. Michael Brannigan explains that ethics fundamentally concerns how we treat each other in everyday interactions, with acts of civility and incivility lying at the core of morality.
For leaders, respect can manifest in simple acts like being kind, offering support, listening attentively, being fair and reasonable, demonstrating care, and upholding others’ dignity and freedom. It also involves considering others’ needs in decision-making. Conversely, respect excludes behaviors such as name-calling, belittling, bullying, controlling, physically or verbally attacking, sabotaging, judging, and creating unnecessary conflict.
In essence, respect in leadership is about fostering a culture where individuals feel valued and supported in pursuing their goals alongside others.
Evans Akpo 