The Leadership Lens

Category: leadership

  • The Power of Ethical Leadership


    By Milja Saari-Hembruff

    A few years ago I got a t-shirt at a conference that says “Perfection is Boring.” Every time I wear it, I think about how I want to lead… Perfection most definitely is not the goal; rather leading with values and ethics is what I seek to embody.

    Ethical leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent. It’s about choosing what’s right over what’s easy. I believe that especially in the tech industry, having a clear ethical compass is critical.

    I’m sure many of you have worked in a toxic culture or for a toxic manager. That kind of environment is based on the slow unraveling of culture— or maybe the lack of culture to begin with.

    Leading ethically means making choices that reflect both your personal values and your company’s values. It’s about doing the right thing. In my last blog we talked about defining your values. Things like accountability, empathy, and justice.

    When leaders lead with authenticity, transparency, and inclusivity, magic happens. You build a culture where people feel safe to speak up, where trust is inherent, and where doing the right thing is the norm.

    I encourage you to take a moment and think about leaders you admire, either in your own life or in the public eye. What is it about them that inspires you? Here are a few examples that come to mind when I think about ethical leaders…

    Terry Fox – His Marathon of Hope inspired people to raise funds for cancer research and feel the power of giving back.

    Jacinda Ardern – Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, she demonstrates empathy, inclusivity, and transparency in leadership.

    Ruth Bader Ginsburg – As a Supreme Court Justice, she was a trailblazer for gender equality and justice.

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – King’s leadership in the civil rights movement was rooted in ethical values of nonviolence, equality, and justice.

    David Suzuki – A long time leader in the fight for environmental justice, he is an advocate for the planet and social responsibility.

    Think about what values these leaders embody, and how you can integrate those values into your own leadership journey. Share your thoughts and let us know about other ethical leaders in the comments!

    I encourage you to check out the free course called “The LeadWell Leader”. We talk about the basics of what is means to be grounded in values and ethics.

    https://weleadwell.thinkific.com/products/courses/LeadWellLeader

  • Why Values-Led Leadership Is Necessary

    By Milja Saari-Hembruff

    Leaders who know what they stand for are the game-changers. I’m sure you’ve been in the room with leaders who captivate your attention, who you want to be like. They are the ones who lead with confidence and light up a room (or a Zoom meeting).

    Not everyone gets there right away – and some never get there.

    When I first stepped into a leadership role after 20 years as an individual contributor, I wanted to prove myself. I was trying to say the right things, do the right things, and keep my boss happy. But I didn’t really know what I stood for, and I hadn’t taken the time to think about what truly mattered to me. So when things got hard, I was reactive instead of intentional.

    In this blog, I want to talk about something I wish I had figured out much earlier: values.

    I’m referring to real, personal values. The important things that show up when you’re making hard calls or deciding what kind of leader you really want to be.

    The first step to becoming a good leader is to think about and make an intentional decision on what you stand for.

    How My Sabbatical in Laos Changed Everything

    In 2019, I took part in a one-month company-sponsored social sabbatical in the country of Laos (in Southeast Asia). It was meant to be a time to give back, but it became a whole lot more.

    I worked with an NGO that was doing incredibly impactful work. They were people who cared deeply and led with purpose. That trip changed me. I still think about it every day even 6 years later. That experience made me rethink what success looked like and, more importantly—what kind of leader I wanted to be.

    I’ll share more about that journey in a future blog, but what matters today is this: I came home from a month abroad knowing that I couldn’t lead the same way anymore. I needed to lead with more empathy. More clarity. And a lot more humanity.

    My True North: Empathy, Transparency, Communication

    Since that time, I’ve done the deep work of defining my core values— those values that help me navigate leadership in the real world.

    For me, those values are:

    • Empathy—because leadership starts with listening.
    • Transparency—because people deserve honesty and context.
    • Communication—because clarity is kindness, and silence creates confusion.
    • Collaboration—because building things together is better.

    These values don’t just live in a journal. They shape how I coach, how I parent, how I make decisions—and how I co-founded The LeadWell Collective.

    Let’s Get Practical: Do Your Values Inventory

    At The LeadWell Collective, we believe in practical learning. So let’s do this together. Here is a list values to reflect on. Read them, take the time to think about them. Listen to your gut (and feel free to Google more if these don’t fit).

    Integrity – Doing the right thing, even when it’s uncomfortable.
    Communication – Sharing clearly, listening, and keeping people in the loop.
    Empathy – Seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.
    Transparency – Being open about your intentions and decisions.
    Courage – Standing in your beliefs, especially when it’s not popular.
    Inclusivity – Making sure every voice matters.
    Growth – Committing to learning, unlearning, and evolving.
    Accountability – Owning your actions.
    Innovation – Staying curious and open to new ideas.
    Collaboration – Building better, together.
    Compassion – Leading with kindness, especially in hard moments.
    Authenticity – Showing up as your real self, not just your role.
    Excellence – Doing your best, not being perfect.
    Service – Leading with a heart for others.
    Justice – Committing to fairness and equity, even when it’s hard.

    Pick your top 3–4. Write them down. Stick them on your mirror, your laptop, or the inside of your notebook. Let them be your guide.

    Once you have your list take our 30-minute online course called “Why Values are Your Competitive Advantage”. https://weleadwell.thinkific.com/products/courses/discover-core-values

    Finally, share what your values are in the LeadWell Community or post on Instagram @leadwell.collective.