This module helped me better understand the building blocks of ethics and what is truly behind the concept. Among the various frameworks, we discussed one that I found to truly relate to leadership is the concept of virtue ethics. Virtue ethics were discussed throughout many of our readings, however, one of the pieces that stood out to me came from the Markkula Center. This source shared that “virtues are attitudes or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our highest potential” (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, Meyer, 1). This statement regarding virtue ethics is one that I feel encompasses the idea in a well-rounded way. It tells us that if we use ethics with the framework of developing in ourselves the highest qualities of character such as kindness and honesty we will reach our fullest potential. To connect this to a real-world example, this is how I have seen various leaders pursue their leadership styles. While leading with their values and good ethics, they lead with their instilled and developed virtue ethics. An example of a great leader is my current boss who leads a team of people to work with dedication, passion, and intent in all that they do. This has led them to exceed goals and be one of the best teams collaboratively that I have ever witnessed. Within this team I clearly see that each individual uses the virtue ethics framework and each of them has qualities of kindness, humility, compassion, and much more that have been deeply instilled in them. I will continue to consider this framework throughout my life and make it a goal to build upon my virtue ethics framework.

Source: Thinking Ethically – Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (scu.edu)