Last fall, we started our “Living with Purpose” series in our newsletter. This series has helped us explore our servant leadership initiative, which focuses on putting the needs of our consumers, employees, and community first.
The program highlights seven important traits of good servant leadership: being a person of character, putting people first, being a skilled communicator (communicating well), being a compassionate collaborator (working well with others), having foresight (thinking ahead), being a systems thinker (understanding how systems work), and leading with moral authority (leading with honesty and fairness).
This month, we’re focusing on Leading with Moral Authority.
A leader with moral authority takes responsibility and creates an environment of trust and respect. They work with their team to set clear expectations, making sure everyone understands their roles. This helps team members support each other and work together with honesty and respect.
In everyday life, this idea applies in many ways. For example, a coach might set clear goals for players on a sports team. By encouraging players to support and hold each other accountable, the coach builds teamwork and commitment.
At work, a manager might have regular check-ins where employees talk about their progress. By creating an open and honest environment, the manager helps employees feel responsible and valued.
At our agency, Amber, a Coordinator at one of our residential programs, sets a great example of leading with moral authority. She speaks up for the people she supports, even when conversations are tough. She quickly addresses employee concerns, offering advice to help them improve. She leads with honesty and openness. If she faces a problem she can’t solve alone, she finds the right resources to help. Her leadership builds trust, respect, and responsibility, making our agency stronger.
A leader with moral authority also acts with honesty and fairness. They take responsibility for their choices and encourage others to do the same. For example, if a project doesn’t go as planned, a good leader looks at what went wrong and helps the team learn from the experience instead of placing blame.
Leading with moral authority means making responsibility a normal part of the workplace, not a punishment. By encouraging open conversations, setting clear expectations, and showing integrity, we can build stronger teams and communities. Let’s all commit to leading with moral authority in our daily lives, helping ourselves and others grow and succeed.
Thank you for being part of our journey exploring the characteristics of servant leadership through this Living with Purpose series. We have covered being a person of character, putting people first, being a good communicator, working well with others, thinking ahead, understanding systems, and leading with moral authority. Your support of these ideas helps us build a stronger, more inclusive community. By following these values, we can create positive change and make sure every person feels valued and empowered.
Watch for more updates on our Living with Purpose initiative in the coming months as we continue working to improve our community for everyone.
