Leading with Ethics and the Golden Rule

Welcome back to The Purpose and Profit Podcast! In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Ty Wenglar delves into the critical role ethical leadership plays in building trust, fostering inclusion, and driving sustainable success. At the heart of this discussion is the timeless wisdom of the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” This universal principle, which transcends cultures and religions, serves as a powerful framework for making ethical decisions and leading with integrity in today’s complex business landscape.

In this episode, Dr. Wenglar addresses the growing skepticism surrounding terms like "inclusion" and highlights the importance of redefining inclusion in the context of mutual respect and accountability. He emphasizes that true inclusion doesn’t compromise business norms or merit but instead ensures that diverse perspectives are valued within the framework of fairness and ethical behavior.

Using historical and modern examples, Dr. Wenglar illustrates the profound impact of ethical leadership. From the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s unwavering commitment to justice to modern corporations like Salesforce addressing pay equity, the conversation highlights how ethical leadership can inspire trust, strengthen teams, and cultivate organizational cultures rooted in respect.

Listeners will gain actionable insights into fostering ethical leadership in their organizations, including:

• Defining Core Values: Ensuring that values are clear, actionable, and lived out at every level.
• Leading by Example: Understanding how leaders’ behavior sets the tone for their teams.
• Encouraging Transparency: Building structures that promote open communication and accountability.
• Rewarding Integrity: Recognizing individuals who uphold ethical standards and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

This episode also explores how ethical leadership builds trust not only internally but externally with customers, stakeholders, and the broader community. Leaders who embody the Golden Rule create legacies that extend far beyond profits, leaving a meaningful and lasting impact.

If today’s message resonated with you like and share this podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you access your favorite podcasts.  Your likes and follows allow us to share this message with more listeners like you.  If you’re ready to take the next step toward aligning purpose with profit in your leadership journey, we’d love to help. Visit our website to book a free consultation and explore how we can guide you toward greater clarity and impact.
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Transcript

Welcome back to The Purpose and Profit Podcast! I’m your host, Dr. Ty Wenglar, and I’m so glad you’re joining me for today’s episode.

Originally, this episode was scheduled to be recorded on December 23rd, but as happens during the holidays, unexpected changes to my schedule meant I had to postpone. The holiday season can bring its fair share of surprises, and like many of you, I found myself juggling priorities to make the most of this special time of year.

Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to wish all of you a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I hope your holidays were filled with joy, connection, and maybe even a little time to reflect on what truly matters most.

Now that the festivities have settled, I’m excited to dive into today’s topic—one that feels particularly meaningful as we reflect on the values and connections that define both the holiday season and great leadership: ethical leadership and the Golden Rule.

As we move into today’s topic, I want to briefly explain why I often reference the Golden Rule in my discussions about leadership.

The Golden Rule—'treat others as you would like to be treated'—is a principle that transcends cultural and religious boundaries, emphasizing empathy and reciprocity. It appears in teachings across traditions: in Christianity’s 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' Islam’s 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' Judaism’s 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' and similar sentiments in Hinduism and Buddhism.

This universal message serves as a powerful ethical framework for leadership…so much so that I dedicated my first book on leadership to this concept.  By embracing the Golden Rule, leaders can foster trust, inspire collaboration, and create a legacy that goes beyond profits to drive meaningful and lasting change.

Ethics isn’t just a checkbox or a compliance issue. It’s the foundation of effective leadership. It’s what builds trust with employees, customers, and stakeholders, and without it, even the most innovative or purpose-driven organization will falter.

So, what is ethical leadership? At its core, it’s about leading with integrity—aligning your values with your actions and holding yourself accountable to a higher standard. Ethical leadership is rooted in principles like fairness, transparency, and respect for all individuals.

One of the simplest yet most profound guides for ethical leadership is the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' It’s a principle that transcends cultures and religions, and it’s as relevant in boardrooms as it is in everyday life.

When leaders embrace ethical behavior, they create a ripple effect. Employees follow their example, and that culture of integrity spreads throughout the organization. The result? A workplace where trust thrives, decisions are made with fairness, and people feel valued."

Let’s talk about why this matters so much in today’s world. Ethical leadership fosters trust. And trust is the currency of leadership. Without it, teams become disengaged, customers lose faith, and reputations crumble. In fact, studies show that employees are more loyal to organizations where they believe leadership is ethical and fair.

Here’s the flip side: when ethics are compromised, the damage can be catastrophic. Think about scandals involving companies like Enron or Volkswagen. Both organizations suffered not just financial losses but also irreparable damage to their reputations. The common thread? A failure of ethical leadership.

On the other hand, organizations like Patagonia, Whole Foods, and IKEA have built their success on ethical foundations. These companies don’t just talk about values—they live them. And that consistency builds trust, loyalty, and long-term success.  I would encourage you all to read the book “Firms of Endearment” by Raj Sisodia and others. The book serves as a roadmap for leaders aspiring to build purpose-driven organizations that thrive by doing good for all. It argues that the future of business lies in fostering alignment among all stakeholders to create enduring value. 

Let’s take a moment to look at ethical leadership through the lens of history. One of the most iconic examples of ethical leadership is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality inspired millions and drove meaningful change. Dr. King’s leadership wasn’t just about speaking out against injustice—it was about living those values, even in the face of immense adversity.

Fast forward to today, and we see modern examples of ethical dilemmas. Consider tech companies grappling with data privacy issues. The way these organizations navigate the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility will define their reputations for years to come.

The lesson here is clear: ethics isn’t just about avoiding missteps—it’s about proactively leading with integrity and accountability.

Now let’s explore how ethical leadership fosters inclusion.

Inclusion has unfortunately become a contentious term in some circles, particularly with the pushback against DEI initiatives that, at times, seemed to prioritize diversity over merit. But that’s not the kind of inclusion I’m referring to. True inclusion isn’t about creating exceptions to business norms or excusing bad behavior—it’s about fostering respect for differences within the framework of the Golden Rule: 'Treat others as you would like to be treated.' It’s about valuing diverse perspectives while maintaining a foundation of mutual respect, fairness, and accountability.

At its heart, ethical leadership is about respect—respect for different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Inclusive leaders create environments where everyone feels valued and heard, and that inclusivity starts with ethics.

Take Salesforce, for example. The company made headlines when it conducted an internal audit and found significant pay gaps between male and female employees. Instead of ignoring the issue, Salesforce invested millions to correct those disparities. That decision wasn’t just ethical—it was a powerful message about their commitment to inclusion."

At Lucentra, we believe that ethical leadership isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s a strategic advantage. When we work with organizations, we focus on embedding ethical frameworks into every level of leadership.

This includes:

·       Developing clear codes of conduct.

·       Creating accountability structures to ensure leaders and teams uphold those standards.

·       Training leaders to recognize and navigate ethical dilemmas effectively.

We’ve seen firsthand how these practices transform cultures, build trust, and drive sustainable success. And remember, ethical leadership doesn’t mean perfection—it means consistency, transparency, and a willingness to course-correct when mistakes happen.

So how can you, as a leader, prioritize ethical leadership in your organization? Here are five practical steps:

1.     Define Your Values

Start by clarifying the core values that guide your decisions. At Lucentra, we encourage organizations to involve employees in this process, creating a shared sense of ownership.

2.     Lead by Example

Your actions set the tone. If you want your team to act with integrity, you need to model it every day.

3.     Encourage Transparency

Create channels where employees feel comfortable raising concerns or reporting unethical behavior without fear of retaliation.

4.     Reward Integrity

Recognize and celebrate employees who uphold your values, even when it’s challenging.

5.     Build Accountability Structures

Establish clear policies and mechanisms for addressing ethical lapses, ensuring that accountability applies at every level of the organization.

As we wrap up, here are the key takeaways:

·       Ethical leadership builds trust, fosters inclusion, and drives long-term success.

·       The Golden Rule is a timeless principle that can guide your leadership decisions.

·       Ethics isn’t just about avoiding missteps—it’s about proactively living your values every day.

Here’s my challenge to you this week: Reflect on your organization’s values. Are they clearly defined? Are they being consistently lived out in your leadership and culture? Take one step—whether it’s revisiting your values, creating a code of conduct, or having an open conversation with your team—toward building a stronger ethical foundation."

If today’s message resonated with you like and share this podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you access your favorite podcasts.  Your likes and follows allow us to share this message with more listeners like you.  If you’re ready to take the next step toward aligning purpose with profit in your leadership journey, we’d love to help. Visit www.lucentraprofitadvisors.com to book a free consultation and explore how we can guide you toward greater clarity and impact.

Or, download my free book, The Profit Optimization Handbook, for actionable insights and strategies to transform your leadership and organization. It’s our gift to you as you start this journey.  Go to www.lucentraprofitadviosors.com/free-book.

Next week, we’ll dive into purpose-driven innovation and explore how companies like Google and Unilever balance innovation with long-term sustainability. You won’t want to miss it.

Thank you for joining me on The Purpose and Profit Podcast. Until next time, stay focused, stay ethical, and lead with purpose."