Walk the Talk: Authentic Leadership Through Ethics

Abstract

A scoping review examined the connection between authentic leadership and ethics, analyzing 20 studies on how these two concepts are related. The inclusion criteria were limited to studies written in English that investigated the relationship between authentic leadership and ethics. The focus was on English-language literature published between 2003 and 2019. The key terms used were "ethical leadership," "authentic leadership," "ethics," and "authentic". The analysis focused on the main topics and how authentic leadership and ethics are connected. The topics which appeared were: general link between authentic leadership and ethical behavior, effectiveness of authentic leadership and qualities of authentic leaders. The results show that the relationship between authentic leadership and ethical behavior is complex and intertwined. The study recommends that organizations foster a culture of authenticity, trust, and ethical leadership, implement training programs about ethics and encourage leaders to share their values. On the other hand, the researchers can use the study's findings for factor analysis and creation of instrument which examines the effects of ethical leadership on organizational outcomes. The end conclusion of the research is evident in the title "walk the talk" which captures the idea of leaders whose moral behaviors are consistent with their promises and values.