*Please note: For the Spring Semester, a lab fee of £90 (covers registration and participation in the SGLC) is required for this course 

What is it about power and success that makes ethical dilemmas unavoidable for leaders? Why does ethical leadership matter, and what makes some leaders so compelling, even dangerously so? This course explores how leaders wield influence, navigate moral obligations, and, sometimes, face the temptations of power. From the charisma that captivates to the differences between leaders and celebrities, the course challenges students to think critically about the ethical responsibilities of leadership in both personal and global contexts.

Students will explore the public and private morality of leaders, how they shape the moral landscape around them, and what makes ethical leadership essential in today’s interconnected world. By analyzing real-world examples and discussing key theories, students will gain insights into leadership virtues, ethical judgments in cross-cultural settings, and the role of followers in holding leaders accountable. The course aims to expand students’ moral point of view by first considering personal ethics, then moving on to look at leadership and the common good, and finishing with an examination of ethics in a global community.

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND THE SGLC (Spring Semester)

In the spring semester (only), FIE’s Ethical Leadership course combines classroom study with the opportunity to present a topic on leadership to other delegates at an international conference. As part of the Ethical Leadership course, students will attend and present at the FIE Student Global Leadership Conference (SGLC), held in FIE’s Kensington Campus, in April. The SGLC is a weekend event that encourages emerging global leaders to think beyond short-term gains and build sustainable communities, policies, practices, and organizations which support our planet, people, and global prosperity. Activities include keynote speakers, breakout sessions led by leadership professionals as well as other students, networking opportunities, receptions, and more. Students are expected to attend the full event (all sessions).

What is the connection between Ethical Leadership and the Student Global Leadership Conference?

The Student Global Leadership Conference (SGLC) provides a powerful complement to the Ethical Leadership course, linking key leadership theories with real-world applications. In Ethical Leadership, students delve into the essential connection between leadership and ethics, exploring the moral frameworks that shape who leaders are, what they do, and how they navigate their roles. They examine issues such as public versus private morality, the ethical responsibilities of both leaders and followers, and the influence leaders have on the moral climate of their communities. The SGLC extends these discussions with themes that align closely with the course, such as social justice, sustainable leadership, diversity and inclusion, mental health, and inclusive leadership. At the conference, students engage with these topics through global perspectives, building on their coursework and fostering the ethical awareness needed to address contemporary leadership challenges in a globally connected world.

What does this mean for the student?

As part of the Ethical Leadership course, students will participate in the delivery of a breakout session at the SGLC. The group presentation assignment in the course will be linked to this session. All students will research and prepare for the conference, and while not all students may be selected to speak/present during the breakout session, everyone will have a participatory role.

Full attendance at all sessions of the conference is required. Registration and access to the entire weekend event is included in the £90 lab fee.

Leadership London

Students who are interested in this course and joining FIE in the spring semester should also consider participating in Leadership London. Leadership London combines rigorous academic coursework (including Ethical Leadership), development of a leadership portfolio, experiential education through an internship or service internship at a British organization, and Student Global Leadership Conference participation.

COURSE OUTLINE

Download the course outline here.