The 12 Ethical Principles for Business Leaders

Ethical leadership means making decisions based on doing what is right for the greater good—not just what benefits profits or personal interests. This is the foundation of ethical leadership as defined by Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education Development Ethical Leadership Program.

While business success and profits are important, ethical leaders also take into account the needs of their customers, communities, and employees when making decisions. They balance these interests alongside the company’s growth and revenue goals.

Ethical leaders inspire their teams to adopt the same values and behaviors. They build an organizational culture rooted in transparency, collaboration, and inclusion—a culture where everyone feels safe to express their views.

By prioritizing ethics in their decision-making, leaders help attract and keep top talent. Most importantly, leaders who consistently weigh ethical considerations contribute significantly to the long-term success and sustainability of their organizations.