University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

686
The different characteristics of the responsible leadership identity at individual,
organizational and societal levels can reinforce each other. If individuals,
organizations and societies worked together for the same vision, responsible leaders
at every level would make the vision come true.
What makes you a Responsible/Irresponsible Leader?
Under peaceful circumstances it is easier to act ethically than in crises when
behaviour may go either way: it may be responsible, even sacrificing, or
irresponsible, even exploitative.
When the tsunami had hit South East Asia in 2004, many tourists recalled that local
inhabitants had rescued them, risking their lives for the foreigners – and then robbed
them of their belongings. What is the psychology behind such incredibly responsible
behaviour immediately followed by irresponsible behaviour? Was it a realization that
nearly sacrificing one’s life for a wealthy stranger calls for a proper reward for the
poor rescuer? Or were they two separate behaviour patterns: a Buddhist unselfish
caring for all living beings versus a capitalist selfish craving for material possessions?
Whatever the answer, no one can ever be certain of one’s own reaction in a sudden
situation. A small thing, like the smell of alcohol, can make us turn away from a man
lying in the street who may need immediate first aid to survive.
Prolonged crises like wars can harden some but transform others to altruists. Who
helped Jews in Nazi Germany in 1944? Some Jews did; others did not. Some
Germans did; others did not. Who helped Hutus in Tutsi attacks in Rwanda in 1994?
Some Hutus did; others did not. Some Tutsis did; others did not. We fear for our own
lives, for our families and for our careers and possessions; we are prejudiced against
some people; we do not want to interfere. Responsible leaders want to interfere; they
want to correct the wrong, whatever the personal consequences may be. Responsible
leaders are courageous. They may be women, children, small organizations or tiny
countries – but they care and dare!
Responsibility and irresponsibility are contagious. Individuals, organizations and
societies can boost or repress responsible behaviour: inspiring leaders can pull others
with them to higher ethical levels of behaviour while greedy leaders may push others
back to lower levels of behaviour. We need to be vaccinated against irresponsible
leaders. The best immunity against them is to become a responsible leader.