Req 2 — Ethical Leadership
Leadership is a word that gets used a lot, but what does it actually mean to you? This requirement asks you to think carefully about that question — and then to find a real example of someone who led with integrity when it really counted.
What Is Leadership?
At its simplest, leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, or influence others. But notice — the requirement does not just ask about leadership. It asks about ethical leadership. That means leading in a way that is honest, fair, and guided by strong values.
A leader does not have to be the loudest person in the room or the one with the fanciest title. Some of the best leaders you will ever meet are quiet people who simply do the right thing, day after day, even when nobody is watching.
What Makes a Decision “Ethical”?
An ethical decision is one where you choose based on what is right, not just what is easy, popular, or personally beneficial. Ethical decisions often involve a trade-off — doing the right thing might cost you something. It might be uncomfortable. It might make you unpopular. That is exactly what makes it ethical: you choose your values over your convenience.
Here are some questions that can help you recognize an ethical decision:
- Did the person have more than one option?
- Was there pressure to take the easier or more popular path?
- Did the person’s choice reflect values like honesty, fairness, or compassion?
- Was there a personal risk or cost to doing the right thing?
If you answered “yes” to most of those, you are probably looking at an ethical decision.
Finding Your Leader
The requirement gives you a wide range of options for who to research: a historical figure, a family member, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a clergy member, or a Scoutmaster. This is intentional — ethical leaders are everywhere, not just in history books.
Where to Look for Ethical Leaders
Consider these categories as you choose someone to research
- Historical figures: Civil rights leaders, reformers, scientists who stood up for truth, wartime leaders who chose mercy.
- Family members: A grandparent who made a sacrifice for the family, a parent who stood up for a neighbor.
- Teachers or coaches: Someone who treated every student fairly, even when it was easier not to.
- Community leaders: A local volunteer, a clergy member, someone who started a program to help others.
- Scouting leaders: A Scoutmaster who modeled the Scout Law in a difficult moment.
How to Research and Present Your Leader
Once you have chosen someone, dig into their story. You are not just looking for someone who did something nice — you are looking for a moment where they faced a hard choice and chose the ethical path.
Use this framework to organize your research for Requirement 2b:
The Situation: What was happening? What problem or challenge did this person face?
The Options: What choices did they have? There should be at least two possible paths — the ethical one and the easier or more popular alternative.
The Decision: What did they choose, and why? What values guided their choice?
The Outcome: What happened as a result? Did their decision make things better? Were there consequences?
Teaching Tolerance — Profiles of Ethical Leaders Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) offers stories and resources about individuals who stood up for equity and inclusion.You have explored what ethical leadership means and found a real example of it in action. Keep that leader’s story in mind — you will need that same kind of courage as you work through the rest of this badge.