Building ethical cultures
Although the term ethical leadership implies that, for an organisation to be considered ethical, its leaders must consistently act in accordance with ethical precepts (thus establishing a clear link between ethical leaders and organisational ethics), this argument can be extended further. The responsibility of ethical leaders goes beyond personal conduct—they play a crucial role in cultivating and fostering ethical cultures within their organisations. It is not enough for leaders to embody ethical principles; they must actively work to embed these principles into the very fabric of the organisation.
By adhering to the five mandates of ethical leadership, individuals become active participants in relational systems that transcend cultural, racial, and religious boundaries. In essence, those who embody the qualities of ethical leaders think and behave in alignment with the Five “S”. Therefore, for an organisation to truly embrace ethics, executives and managers must engage individuals in both formal and informal systems that reflect these values.
Leading ethically encompasses living by a system of ethics and meeting the expectations set by various markets. Moral leadership, therefore, unifies ethical practices with organisational identity, as argued in Pride and Paper. An organisation made up of individuals who consistently act with awareness and commitment to moral values becomes inherently attractive from an ethical standpoint. In other words, organisational citizenship entails behaving in a manner that consistently upholds and respects moral values within a systemic framework.
Viewed holistically, it becomes evident that leading—and building commitment to—a relational system is integral to ethical leadership. Living within a specific culture implies the acceptance of a social contract, and leaders must nurture and exemplify the attitudes, beliefs, habits, understandings, ideologies, and spiritual dispositions that underpin both relational and instrumental behaviours. These, in turn, promote the harmonious coexistence and progression of individuals within the organisational context.
Innovation and creative thinking
In a time of rapid change, innovation and creativity have become essential tools for identifying value drivers and seizing growth opportunities. These capabilities are now core competencies for leaders and managers striving to develop, transform, and guide organisations effectively. Leading an innovative organisation—whether public or private—is a formidable challenge in today’s complex and fast-paced world. Innovation is vital not only for establishing a unique competitive advantage but also for ensuring sustainable success.
Creative thinking involves using a range of thinking styles to solve problems and generate new ideas. People exhibit creativity in diverse ways—whether adaptive, functional, innovative, or combinative. For leaders, the ability to think creatively and integrate this into their practice is crucial. Leadership involves anticipating future needs, recognising both short- and long-term organisational demands, and enabling development, growth, and positive change. Success in leading and evolving organisations hinges on creative, strategic vision and the ability to solve critical issues in sustainable ways.
Innovation must be championed proactively by top and middle managers and then cascaded down through lower managerial levels. As organisational leaders, we must address these pivotal concerns by steering our institutions into a positive developmental trajectory that fosters innovation and secures long-term success.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the pace of change has accelerated beyond imagination. This exponential transformation makes innovation and creativity indispensable for identifying value drivers and unlocking growth. Traditional methods alone are no longer sufficient. Instead, innovation and creative thinking have become vital competencies that define effective leadership and management in this dynamic landscape.
Leading an innovative organisation in such times is no small feat. Beyond gaining a competitive edge, innovation is now the cornerstone of long-term viability. Crucially, creative thinking is not a monolithic concept—it is a multifaceted process through which individuals draw upon diverse thinking styles to create novel solutions. Creativity reveals itself in adaptive, functional, innovative, and combinative ways. Thus, it must become central to leadership thinking and practice.
A forward-thinking leader must remain ahead of the curve, anticipating trends and responding to shifting organisational needs. They must serve as catalysts for growth and change, fostering environments where innovation thrives. The key to organisational development lies in the ability to think creatively, envision strategically, and resolve complex issues with ingenuity and sustainability in mind.
Top and middle managers must take the lead in promoting innovation, ensuring it reaches all organisational levels. As leaders, we are called not just to acknowledge these challenges but to deliberately guide our organisations along a purposeful path of innovation and growth.
Fostering innovation as a framework
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Model the way
Strategic leaders must set the tone by nurturing a culture of innovation within their organisations. They should consistently encourage and showcase innovative ideas, processes, and outcomes.
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Inspire a shared vision
Leaders should communicate a compelling and future-oriented vision, highlighting the value of innovation. Inspiring team members to embrace this vision helps foster a shared sense of purpose and excitement.
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Challenge the process
Leaders must question the status quo and encourage critical and creative thinking among team members. Empowering employees to experiment, take risks, and explore new approaches is essential to driving innovation.
- Enable others to act
Strategic leaders should provide the necessary resources, support, and autonomy for teams to pursue innovative ideas. A safe, inclusive, and empowering environment allows everyone to contribute meaningfully to innovation.
Encourage the heart
Leaders should recognise and celebrate the contributions of their teams in advancing innovation. Positive feedback, rewards, and meaningful recognition serve to inspire continued creative effort.
By embracing these practices, strategic leaders can cultivate a culture of innovation that fuels loyalty, enhances performance, and drives sustainable growth. In a world defined by rapid transformation, such a culture enables organisations to adapt, seize new opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge. Let us, therefore, adopt the principles of exemplary leadership and commit to nurturing innovation in order to thrive within the ever-evolving business landscape.
By Prof. ‘Lere Baale, FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm, FNIM.
