Let’s Talk Ethical Leadership: Doing What’s Right When It Matters Most

Being a leader or a good servant leader is an aspiration, one that comes with responsibilities and principles. We often talk about ethical leadership being the standard we should aspire to, especially from MeetMentors’ perspective. At its core, ethical leadership means choosing what is right even when it’s inconvenient, costly, unappreciated, or unseen. For college students and early professionals, this kind of leadership usually begins long before you ever hold a formal title.

Here are three main characteristics that set an ethical leader apart and why they matter:

1. Character: Ethical leaders are guided by internal values, not external pressure. Your goal is not to please others and seek outside validation, but to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and ownership over yourself. This leads directly to seeking the truth; being accountable to yourself; and, consequently, holding other people accountable. What we gain from this is creating a world that caters to each other, and what we lose is the selfishness that seeks to destroy oneself and others.

In addition, leaders with strong character tend to ask challenging questions: Is this fair? Who might this harm? Am I being honest, even if the truth is uncomfortable? Proverbs 11:3 speaks directly to this foundation: “the integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.”

So, how does this look in application?

In applicable terms, this might look like refusing to plagiarize when others cut corners, giving credit to a teammate in a group project, or speaking up when a workplace practice feels questionable. These moments shape who you become far more than your résumé ever will. 

Practice: Write down three to five ethical values that are personal to you and explain why each matters. These will be your guiding principles.

2. People before power: Ethical leaders understand that leadership is influence. Also, they know that this influence is impactful when used to protect, uplift, and serve others. The servant leader, as modelled by Jesus in Mark 10:43, proposes that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”.  Prominent world leaders have modelled this for us well.

For a student leader, this might mean advocating for a quieter team member whose ideas are overlooked. For an early professional, it could mean mentoring others, setting healthy boundaries with clients, or pushing back against unrealistic expectations that harm employee well-being.

Practice: Speak up when things are not what they should be. Don’t wait until it worsens. Choose one instance this week to be courageous.

3. Courage: Ethical leadership requires you to be courageous. Doing the right thing is rarely the easiest path. Ethical leaders are willing to stand alone if necessary, and “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8).

This could mean reporting unethical behavior, refusing to manipulate data, or choosing honesty over advancement. These decisions may feel risky in the short term, but they build trust and credibility over time. These are qualities no organization can function without.

The truth is that ethical leadership won’t always be rewarded immediately.

Sometimes it costs you opportunities, approval, or comfort. Sometimes it’ll cost you people, even those close to you. But it always builds something deeper. You build and solidify your character, your witness, and your long-term impact. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

You don’t have to be perfect to be ethical. It’s a practice you get to build on. It’s a skill you learn. It’s a choice you make every single time you choose good character, put people first, and learn to be courageous. It’s aligning your actions with your values and choosing integrity again and again. Start now. The habits you form today will define the leader you become tomorrow.