Ethical Leadership in Higher Education: Why Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency Guide Every Decision I Make
Ethical leadership is not an optional quality in higher education — it is the foundation upon which institutional trust, student success, and long-term credibility are built. Throughout my career, I have learned that the most important decisions are often the hardest ones. But the measure of a leader is not whether the decisions are easy; it is whether the decisions are right.
For me, ethical leadership begins with a simple commitment:
Do what is right, even when it is difficult, unpopular, or inconvenient.
That belief has guided every major responsibility I’ve held — whether navigating complex personnel issues, managing institutional resources, supporting student-athletes, leading fundraising efforts, or working alongside colleagues with diverse perspectives.
Integrity as a Leadership Standard
Integrity is the core of ethical leadership. In every role, I’ve understood that people watch what leaders do more closely than what they say. I’ve always held myself to a standard where my decisions, my communication, and my actions are aligned with the values of the institution.
Integrity means:
Telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable
Standing firm when pressured to cut corners
Owning your decisions
Treating every person — students, staff, donors, coaches, and community members — with respect
Modeling the behavior you expect from others
Ethical leaders do not perform integrity; they live it.
Transparency Builds Trust
One of the greatest threats to culture is uncertainty, secrecy, or mixed messaging from leadership. I have always believed that transparency is not only respectful — it is strategic. When people understand the reasoning behind decisions, they are more likely to trust the process and remain engaged during transitions.
In my leadership approach, transparency means:
Explaining the “why” behind decisions
Communicating early and honestly
Being accessible and open to questions
Sharing information that helps teams operate confidently
Setting clear expectations from the beginning
Transparency eliminates confusion, reduces anxiety, and unifies teams.
Accountability Strengthens Culture
Ethical leadership requires accountability — both personally and institutionally.
I hold myself accountable in the same way I expect others to be accountable. When a mistake is made, the right response is not to shift blame but to acknowledge it, correct it, and learn from it.
Accountability also means creating systems where expectations are measurable, outcomes are tracked, and decisions follow clear standards. I believe in processes that are fair, consistent, and rooted in well-established policies.
An institution cannot thrive without accountability at every level — from leadership to staff to student-athletes.
Consistency in Decision-Making
One of the best ways to build trust is to be consistent. I lead with a philosophy that decisions should not depend on personal preference, popularity, or emotion. They should depend on principles.
Consistent decision-making means:
Following established procedures
Evaluating decisions based on mission, not pressure
Applying rules the same way to every person
Ensuring fairness, even when outcomes are hard
Consistency communicates fairness, and fairness builds credibility.
Ethics in Personnel, Fundraising, and Athletics
Ethical leadership influences every area of campus life.
Personnel
Every employee deserves dignity, fairness, and clarity — especially during difficult transitions or evaluations.
Fundraising
Donor relationships must be built on honesty, proper stewardship, and responsible use of gifts.
Athletics
Student-athlete welfare must always come before competitive or political pressures.
In all areas, leaders must guard against shortcuts, preferential treatment, or anything that compromises institutional integrity.
Ethical Leadership Creates Institutional Strength
Colleges and universities today face challenges — financial pressures, enrollment shifts, public scrutiny, and competitive landscapes. In these moments, the institutions with the strongest ethical foundations are the ones that endure.
Ethical leadership:
Protects the institution’s reputation
Builds a culture of trust
Guides teams through difficult change
Strengthens donor confidence
Ensures decisions support long-term mission
Models character for the next generation of leaders
I remain committed to ethical leadership because it is the only kind of leadership that lasts.
Further Reading
• Leadership Through Personal Accountability
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/leadership-through-personal-accountability
• Ethical Leadership & Organizational Trust
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/ethical-leadership-accountability
• Executive Leadership Philosophy
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/executive-leadership-philosophy
Further Reading
• Building High-Performance Teams in Leadership
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/building-high-performance-teams
Look at these two articles from my experience at St. John Bosco:
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/articles/st-john-bosco-student-centered-leadership-wickstrom
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/articles/st-john-bosco-operational-excellence-wickstrom
