Few things are more important to human activity than leadership. Effective leadership makes a business organization successful. It enables a not-for-profit organization to fulfill its mission. The effective leadership of parents enables children to grow into independent and productive adults. But for all leaders, abiding by ethical standards is vital.

What are the characteristics of an ethical leader? If you were asked to list the qualities and behaviors of leaders who live out their values, what characteristics would you cite?

We have seen that there are many factors at play in shaping behavior in the workplace. Nonetheless, the question remains: How is it that decent people can behave in an unethical manner in business?

Research suggests a number of reasons. The KPMG Forensic Survey polled a representative sample of American workers and found that pressure for results was the most often cited reason for misconduct. Another interesting finding from the KPMG survey was that only 34% of respondents said a desire for personal gain prompted unethical behavior.