Ethical Leadership: Fostering an Ethical Environment & Culture ...

ConclusionConclusionHelping to foster an ethical environment and culture is the responsibility of leaders at alllevels of an organization. By using the four points of the ethical leadership compass to guidetheir day-to-day practices—that is, by demonstrating that ethics is a priority, communicatingclear expectations for ethical practice, practicing ethical decision making, and supportingtheir local ethics program—leaders at the executive and mid-manager levels can take thelead in improving ethics quality in their organizations.The first step for any leader is to reflect critically on his or her own behavior. The EthicalLeadership Self-Assessment Tool available on the Center’s website (vaww.ethics.va.gov/IntegratedEthics or www.ethics.va.gov/IntegratedEthics) is designed to help leaders identifyareas in which they are successfully modeling behaviors that foster an ethical environmentand culture and to highlight opportunities for improvement. The self-assessment toolchallenges each leader to think about individual behaviors on each of the four points of theEthical Leadership Compass and helps each to identify strengths, actions he or she mightwish to examine the rationales for, and opportunities for further reflection. The tool includesguidance to help each leader develop a specific, personal action plan for implementing thefour compass points in his or her own behavior. Taking the self-assessment every year canhelp leaders continue to refine their leadership practices.By fostering a healthy ethical environment and culture, ethical leadership enhancesthe value of ethics consultation and preventive ethics, the other core functions of anIntegratedEthics program. Together, the three core functions will help promote ethicalpractices through VA’s health care system.40