You Don’t Have to be a Good Person to be a Good Leader, But It Helps
By Angel L. Santiago
Prominent leadership scholar Gary Yukl defines leadership effectiveness as “the leader’s ability to effectively influence followers and other organizational stakeholders to reach the goals of the organization” (Yukl, 2005). This definition challenges the traditional assumption that good leaders must be good people. It argues that leadership effectiveness is not solely dependent on a leader’s moral character and that individuals with questionable ethics or personal flaws can still achieve success and inspire followers.
Effective leaders achieve desired outcomes, goals, and results. While being a good person is not a requirement for effective leadership, it can significantly enhance a leader’s impact, especially when it comes to maximizing the performance, engagement, and well-being of the team or organization.
Effective leadership involves a combination of skills, traits, and behaviors, such as:
1. Set clear direction and vision
2. Communicate effectively
3. Build and maintain high-performing teams
4. Make informed and timely decisions
5. Drive innovation and change
6. Foster a positive and inclusive culture
7. Develop and grow their team members
8. Achieve measurable results and goals
9. Adapt to changing circumstances
10. Demonstrate emotional intelligence and self-awareness
Leadership effectiveness is not just about getting results but also about how those results are achieved, ensuring a sustainable and positive impact on the organization and its stakeholders. Yukl states that how a leader influences their employees matters, especially when you want them to go beyond standard performance expectations or standards (Yukl, 2008).
While someone with questionable moral character can still possess some of the qualities mentioned above, being a good person can contribute to a leader’s overall effectiveness and reputation.
Here are some reasons why being a good person can be beneficial for a leader:
- Trust: People are more likely to trust and follow a leader who demonstrates integrity, compassion, and a strong moral compass.
- Inspiration: A good leader inspires others through their actions and values, fostering a positive work culture.
- Decision-making: A strong moral foundation can guide decision-making, ensuring choices align with ethical principles and values.
- Authenticity: When a leader is genuinely committed to doing good, their authenticity shines through, strengthening relationships and credibility.
- Legacy: Leaders who prioritize being good people often leave a lasting, positive impact on their organization and community, transcending their tenure.
There are two extremes. On one end, some leaders excel in achieving their objectives but lack integrity and ethical principles. These leaders may be successful in their endeavors, yet they fall short in terms of ethics, morals, and personal character.
This type of leader:
- Focuses on results at any cost
- Concerns themselves with exchanges and deals rather than relationships or ethics
- Lacks a moral compass or consideration for ethical implications
- Prioritizes achievements over principles or values
It’s important to understand that as a follower, you can still respect this type of leader for their abilities and how they can help you succeed, even if you don’t necessarily want to be like them personally. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that a leader’s effectiveness is not only measured by accomplishments but also by the ethical beliefs and standards that shape their decisions.
Alternatively, there are leaders who, though possessing good intentions and admirable qualities, struggle to make a significant impact in their role. These individuals, while embodying goodness and integrity, are hindered by their limitations when it comes to leading effectively.
This type of leader is:
- Kind and well-meaning but lacking in decisiveness or results
- Guided by principles but struggling with practical implementation
- Pleasant and well-liked but lacking in assertiveness or direction
- Driven by compassion but perhaps ineffective in achieving goals
Effective leadership involves a complex interplay of character, skills, and actions, and a leader can exhibit traits from multiple categories. The idea is to find the right balance.
Through my work, I aim to empower and guide leaders to nurture their growth and become virtuous leaders. This type of leader is someone who is both a good person and gets things done. A leader who consistently exhibits moral excellence, integrity, and good character. They possess qualities such as honesty, kindness, compassion, humility, and courage, and act following these values, even when it is difficult or unpopular. A leader who strives to do what is right, just, and beneficial for others and is guided by a strong sense of ethics and morality. While also possessing the skills, knowledge, and ability to achieve desired outcomes and inspire others.
This type of leader:
- Leads by example
- Prioritizes and makes decisions that benefit the greater good
- Inspires trust
- Fosters a positive culture
- Strives to make a positive impact on their organization and community
Being a good person is not a requirement for being a good leader, but it’s important to know that caring about success more than caring about others can cause problems later on. Leaders who focus on being good people may not always succeed right away, but they earn trust, make people happy, and make a big impact.
As you strive for leadership excellence, don’t forget the importance of balancing success with moral character and recognize that true leadership greatness lies at the intersection of both.
