The Virtue Proposition

“Should a leader focus on short-term gains or timeless virtues? The Virtue Proposition argues for the latter, revealing a pathway to lasting leadership success.”

1. Choose Virtues Over Values

Modern leadership often struggles with prioritizing virtue over immediate value. Many teams chase value propositions that focus on appealing products or services, even if it means compromising on principles. Virtue propositions, on the other hand, emphasize steady, ethical improvement for long-term gain. This shift requires leaders to anchor their decisions in unchanging moral virtues rather than bending to temporary, self-serving interests.

Leaders who prioritize virtue build a stronger foundation for their organizations. By embracing virtues such as love, truth, and integrity, they avoid the pitfalls of dishonesty and short-sightedness. These leaders craft an environment of trust where teams are more committed, fostering growth and sustainability. Committing to virtues doesn’t just result in practical benefits—it also reinforces a sense of purpose.

For instance, virtuous leadership encourages teams to prioritize truth, even in difficult circumstances. Instead of misrepresenting their status in a competitive market, a virtuous organization would focus on authentic messaging to build trust over time. By choosing integrity over deception, leaders create organizations capable of weathering challenges without compromising their core identity.

Examples

• A company avoids marketing gimmicks, focusing on clear, honest communication with customers.
• Leaders invest in employee well-being rather than cutting costs to boost quarterly profits.
• A CEO chooses principled decision-making over shortcuts, even when it risks slowing down growth.

2. The Power of Love as Leadership

Love may seem like an unusual leadership virtue, but it’s foundational to truly effective leadership. Love, in this sense, means putting others first by focusing on their growth and potential. It manifests in rigorous support for the team, empathy in interactions, and a commitment to inspire rather than demean.

Leaders guided by love naturally create environments where individuals thrive. They actively invest in fostering trust and respect. This doesn’t mean avoiding tough discussions but handling them with care, ensuring even critiques aim to elevate, not diminish. Leadership anchored in love prioritizes kindness alongside effectiveness, benefiting both individuals and the broader mission.

Consider moments when leaders resist criticizing employees publicly, opting instead for private feedback. Or think about a workplace where the team knows their leader genuinely believes in their abilities. Love in leadership fosters loyalty while encouraging team members to push beyond their limits without fear of rejection or humiliation.

Examples

• A manager spends extra time mentoring employees, helping them reach roles they thought were unattainable.
• A team leader listens actively and values each individual’s input, ensuring decisions are collaborative.
• During a setback, the CEO reassures employees rather than assigning blame, renewing a sense of unity.

3. Integrity: Saying and Doing the Right Thing

Integrity is the backbone of virtuous leadership. Leaders with integrity align their actions with their words and principles, even when the easier option is bending the truth or cutting corners. The consistency of these leaders builds credibility and trust within their teams and organizations.

Leaders with integrity admit their mistakes, prioritize learning, and invite constructive feedback. Self-awareness and transparency guide their actions. When team members see a leader owning up to an oversight, they feel empowered to act similarly. Integrity transcends personal actions, influencing the behavior of the entire organization.

Think of a situation where a company leader openly addresses a missed project deadline, acknowledging their role in the outcome and collaborating on a solution. This fosters a culture where accountability is seen as empowering rather than punitive. Leaders who prioritize integrity make decisions based on what’s right—not what’s easy or profitable in the immediate term.

Examples

• A CEO admits to shareholders about failing to meet expectations and presents a realistic plan to improve.
• A manager refrains from making promises they cannot fulfill, even under pressure.
• A leader transparently evaluates their performance in front of the team, asking for honest feedback.

4. Truth Builds a Foundation of Trust

Truth, as a core virtue, requires leaders to confront reality instead of ignoring uncomfortable facts. Truth-driven leaders distinguish between opinions, realities, and ethics, creating space for clear-headed decision-making. Truth builds organizations founded on honesty and accountability.

Many leaders hesitate to confront the truth due to fear of conflict or repercussions, but virtuous leadership demands courage. A truthful leader responsibly addresses the organization's weaknesses, fostering growth and improvement. They stand for difficult truths even when met with resistance.

One example involves a company recognizing its unsustainable practices and strategizing to reduce environmental harm. Rather than masking weaknesses to save face, the organization enhances its image through truthful self-reflection. Leaders standing by truth constantly refine their operations, improving both internal dynamics and external trust.

Examples

• A team addresses low morale head-on and implements engagement strategies based on honest employee surveys.
• Leaders discuss financial challenges transparently with stakeholders rather than trying to manipulate results.
• A company refuses to exaggerate product claims, ensuring customer loyalty and long-term trust.

5. Excellence: The Strive for Continuous Growth

Excellence in leadership means resisting complacency while inspiring teams to aim higher. Leaders with this virtue commit to self-improvement as much as they expect it from their teams. Excellence leads to organizations that consistently evolve and outperform their peers.

While many leaders promise big leaps, excellence flourishes through small, steady improvements. Setting high standards without instilling a fear of failure pushes teams to take ownership of their growth. The drive for excellence doesn’t mean perfection—it’s about progress and dedication.

Think about leaders who continuously refine both their interpersonal skills and their organizational strategies. They offer constructive feedback that empowers, not belittles, and create systems allowing others to excel and innovate.

Examples

• A tech CEO frequently attends development seminars, modeling a culture of lifelong learning.
• Team leaders incentivize creativity by celebrating small wins that lead to bigger breakthroughs.
• A company continuously improves its workflows, generating higher efficiency year after year.

6. Relationships as Leadership's Heartbeat

At the center of leadership lies relationships. Virtuous leaders prioritize building trust, rapport, and mutual respect. They understand that success isn’t born from mere task completion; it emerges from fostering collaborative, meaningful connections.

Strong relationships allow teams to communicate openly, tackle challenges, and encourage accountability. Leaders who invest in empathy and emotional intelligence inspire teams to thrive even under pressure. A foundation of strong relationships ensures sustainable collaboration.

Consider leaders who are deeply tuned into their teams’ emotions and challenges. This emotional investment results in loyal, unified teams motivated to deliver their best. Such relationships create a safety net that allows people to navigate hardships together.

Examples

• Managers encourage open discussions, allowing employees to voice concerns safely.
• Leaders host regular check-ins to address not just progress but well-being.
• Team-building exercises rooted in meaningful dialogue improve trust dynamics.

7. The Power of Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a striking departure from the "heroic leader" myth. Instead of commanding from above, servant leaders prioritize the needs of their teams. They ask themselves how they can remove obstacles and empower others to succeed.

When leaders place their team's success above their personal accolades, they spark loyalty, creativity, and self-initiative. By living in service to their team members' growth, these leaders create movements rather than mere organizations.

A prime example is Dr. Paul Farmer, who embedded himself in impoverished communities to inspire grassroots health movements. Leaders staying close to the ground, rather than retreating into ivory towers, cultivate innovation from the people closest to challenges.

Examples

• A school principal ensures teachers receive constant support while reshaping the education system.
• A non-profit leader directs resources to team members building solutions instead of focusing only on public image.
• A CEO works collaboratively with every level of their company to align goals.

8. Diversity Unlocks Team Potential

Great teams thrive on diverse perspectives, and virtuous leaders actively seek them out. Diversity isn’t just about appearances; it’s about creating an inclusive environment where different ideas spark growth and innovation.

Leaders invite different viewpoints while encouraging constructive conflict to improve collective results. Diversity prevents groupthink, allowing vital feedback and fresh ideas to flourish. Structuring teams to include voices across experience levels and backgrounds is one way leaders foster invaluable creativity.

For instance, leaders who embrace diverse feedback draw from robust sources of improvement. A team composed of unique perspectives becomes a think tank for solutions unseen before. Whether managing products or building culture, diversity multiplies possibilities.

Examples

• A leader ensures diversity in brainstorming sessions by inviting employees from diverse departments.
• Executives implement feedback systems where cross-departmental voices contribute ideas.
• A manager avoids favoritism, ensuring everyone views opportunities equally.

9. Build Organizations That Lead Themselves

Truly virtuous leaders aim to make themselves obsolete. They distribute authority, embed virtues into teams, and cultivate an autonomous culture. This creates “leaderless” systems where the organization's mission thrives without constant oversight.

Highly decentralized systems, like beehives or schools of fish, achieve harmony through collective effort. Virtuous leadership ensures every member feels empowered and accountable. Instead of micromanaging, these leaders enable team members to solve challenges independently.

Imagine a company where decisions don’t stall for approvals but are made at the ground level. Employees feel ownership, boosting innovation and reducing delays. Leadership then becomes about coaching, removing obstacles, and setting visions rather than control.

Examples

• A marketing manager delegates campaign ownership to young staff for fresh creative input.
• Executives rotate leadership roles during layered projects to develop future leaders.
• A founding CEO gradually steps back after preparing the team to sustain independent growth.

Takeaways

1. Prioritize virtues over immediate wins by building trust, fostering relationships, and acting with integrity.
2. Embrace servant leadership by listening to your team’s needs and empowering them to succeed.
3. Build diverse, self-sufficient teams that innovate and grow collaboratively without heavy oversight.