Most people believe they are ethical. But are they really? The truth is, there’s often a gap between how ethical we think we are and how we actually act. This gap—called the “ethical gap”—can be hard to spot, even in ourselves.
Human nature tends to push people to act in their own best interest. It’s rare for people to naturally treat others’ needs, rights, and privileges with the same importance as their own. No science or school lesson fully teaches us how to be fair to everyone. That’s why leaders—and especially leadership coaches—must be intentional about developing ethical awareness.
In diverse and global organizations, reaching a shared understanding of ethics can be difficult. People come from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. What one person sees as “right” might look very different to someone else. To address this, leaders need more than basic ethics training. They must explore the deeper layers of culture, values, and behavior.
Leadership coaches play a key role in this. To help others grow ethically, they must first understand how their own values, culture, and biases shape their behavior. They must also work to build relationships based on mutual trust—where people can talk openly and honestly, even when they disagree.
Ethical leadership also requires moving from “me thinking” to “we thinking.” Coaches help others shift from acting in self-interest to making decisions that benefit the team, organization, and community as a whole. This is how ethical blind spots are revealed and corrected—by creating safe spaces for reflection, feedback, and real human connection.
When ethics are guided by shared values and cultural understanding, organizations thrive. Leaders become role models, not just in what they achieve, but in how they lead.
Dr. Anthony L. Simmons explores these ideas deeply in Championing Organization Wellness. Through his coaching triangulation model, he shows how leaders can overcome ethical blind spots, grow across cultures, and connect with others to drive true organizational wellness. With over two decades of leadership across global environments, Dr. Simmons offers a hands-on guide to developing leaders who are not only skilled but also grounded in strong ethics.
