Download PDF
Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2020; 33(04): 217-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709437
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Leadership and Ethics: Virtue Ethics as a Model for Leadership Development

Lonnie Gentry
1   Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Roberts Hospital, Dallas, Texas
,
James W. Fleshman
1   Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Roberts Hospital, Dallas, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 June 2020 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Leaders are held to the highest of standards in both performance and ethics. The same is true for leaders in medicine. Thus, medical leaders must give attention to ethical development as well as performance development. Virtue ethics provide a way for the leader to develop ethically. Virtue ethics is the oldest form of ethics. Although other ethical approaches focus on external considerations, virtue ethics focuses on the inward development of character. Following the examples of virtuous people and developing habits of virtue are critical with this approach. The cardinal virtues of prudence, courage, temperance, and justice are considered the most important. Specific virtue lists have also been developed for medical practitioners. All of these virtues can contribute to the enhancement of leadership skills. The virtue approach is especially helpful for leaders because it motivates one to excel in whatever endeavor pursued, whether medicine, leadership, relationships, or life.

Keywords

leadership - ethics - virtues
 

  • References

  • 1 Ciulla JB, Forsyth DR. Leadership ethics. In: Bryman A, Collinson DL, Grint K. , eds. The SAGE Handbook of Leadership. London; Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd; 2011: 230
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Grande D. Ethical leadership. The American Nurse. Available at: http://www.theamericannurse.org/2015/05/01/ethical-leadership/ . Accessed November 15, 2017
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Drane JF. Becoming a Good Doctor: The Place of Virtue and Character in Medical Ethics, 2nd ed. Kansas City, MO: Sheed & Ward; 1995: viii
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 7th ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2012
    Google Scholar
  • 5 See MacIntyre A. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, 3rd ed. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press; 2007
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Irby DM, Hamstra SJ. Parting the clouds: three professionalism frameworks in medical education. Acad Med 2016; 91 (12) 1606-1611
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Pellegrino ED, Thomasma DC. The Virtues in Medical Practice. New York: Oxford University Press; 1993
    Google Scholar
  • 8 Peterson C, Seligman M. Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, DC; New York: American Psychological Association/Oxford University Press; 2004
    Google Scholar