In organizations, unethical behavior is a big and costly problem. Historically, when organizations try to reduce unethical behavior, they focus on developing ethical leaders. Selected and developed properly, the thinking goes that ethical leaders serve as role models for their followers and enforce the organization's ethical standards. Of course, this approach is only effective when leaders live up to these standards, and their track record is not great.To enhance this leader-centric approach, we ought to consider the contributions of ethical followers, specifically their efforts to resist unethical directives and requests, as well as their proactive efforts to establish and maintain high ethical standards with or without any leader's direction. Acknowledging the contributions of ethical followers, we can reverse the traditional lens that has narrowly focused on ethical leaders and see leadership as a phenomenon that is co-created by leaders and followers. We can also empower both parties with the necessary tools to be successful. Based on his published research on ethical followership in the engineering profession, Dr. Kyle Payne describes what we know about ethical followers and their contributions to ethical leadership. He also invites participants to consider their impact as ethical leaders and ethical followers. Dr. Kyle Payne is a leadership consultant at Development Dimensions International (DDI) and also serves as a professional coach, facilitator, and consultant with Quality Culture. After earning a PhD in human capital management, Dr. Payne founded the Ethical Followership Institute, which examines the behaviors of “ethical followers” who have the courage to resist unethical behavior and call into question unethical thinking. He has published and frequently gives talks on unethical behavior at work and serves on the Ethics & Professional Practice Committee for the Association for Materials Protection and Performance. Kyle lives in Chicago with his partner Sid and their two cats Queso and Fundido. Outside of work, you’re most likely to find him visiting the Field Museum or the Art Institute, walking along Lake Michigan, or cheering on the Chicago Sky. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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