Over my career in counseling potential leaders, I’ve learned—and they’ve learned—that leadership is not just about taking charge. Responsibility is much more than acting the part of a drill sergeant. Rather, it concerns how you address complex challenges, and ensure that they do not overwhelm you and your organization. It’s about acting from the perspective of tomorrow and the next day—that is, not just accepting the status quo. The responsible leader is a change agent ensuring that the people they work with can perform optimally (where the leader sets the example).

Ethics matter in leadership, if only because people are always watching; somebody somewhere sometime will finally have the goods. So, it’s important to ensure that your organization is on an ethically sound footing. It’s easier to avoid mistakes than to clean up after them. It may seem easier to act as though nothing is wrong, but that’s shortsighted. It never works in the long run. Own your mistakes, acknowledge the challenges and........

© Psychology Today