November 11, 2025
During my time working as a program executive at Globethics, I had compiled a long list of values-based education learning resources. That took me months to complete the list. Today, with AI assistance abound, I have got some curated online resources focused on ethical leadership.
I’ve organized them into categories for clarity, drawing from reputable sources like university programs, institutes, and professional guides.
These include courses, articles, tools, and more to help build skills in ethical decision-making, culture-building, and moral courage.
Online Courses and Certifications
– **Ethical Leadership Program** by Harvard Professional Development: A two-day online program designed to help leaders develop skills for making ethical choices in professional settings.
– **Ethical Leadership Through Giving Voice to Values** by University of Virginia (via Coursera or online platforms): An action-oriented course introducing strategies for voicing values in leadership dilemmas.
– **Leadership and Ethics** by Harvard Business School: Covers ethical decision-making, corporate responsibility, and moral leadership with real-world case studies, suitable for executives and emerging leaders.
– **Ethical Decision-Making for Leaders** by MIT Sloan: Focuses on ethical frameworks for handling conflicts of interest and governance in business environments.
– **Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility** by Coursera: Expert-led lectures on ethical leadership, sustainability, and compliance, ideal for business leaders and HR professionals.
– **Ethics for Managers and Leaders** by LinkedIn Learning: A flexible, short course with practical tools and case studies on ethical failures and prevention.
– **Certified Ethics & Compliance Professional (CECP)** by Ethics & Compliance Initiative: An in-depth certification on risk assessment, building ethical cultures, and regulatory frameworks.
– **Moral Foundations of Leadership** by Yale University: Explores the psychology of ethical leadership, including lessons from historical failures and self-awareness strategies.
– **Ethical Leadership Certification Program (ELCP)** with Ethics Dash: An online tool for college students and professionals to identify and respond to ethical issues.
Websites and Institutes
– **Markkula Center for Applied Ethics – Leadership Ethics Resources**: A hub with articles, cases, and programs on topics like creating ethical cultures and governance; includes curated links to external leadership ethics sites.
– **Institute for Ethical Leadership** at St. Thomas University: Offers research, resources, and tools for resolving ethical dilemmas in leadership, with a focus on virtue ethics.
– **Center for Ethical Organizational Cultures** at Auburn University: Provides instructional and training resources for ethical leadership in organizations.
– **Office of Government Ethics (OGE) – Ethical Leadership Section**: Guidance on being an ethical role model and advocating for integrity in government and public sectors.
– **Ethics & Compliance Initiative Toolkit**: Practical resources for ethical leadership, including culture-building and compliance tools (available at https://www.ethics.org).<
Articles and Blogs
– **What is Leadership Ethics?** by Markkula Center: An introduction to ethical responsibilities for leaders in formal and everyday roles.
– **Leadership Ethics Articles** by Markkula Center: Covers topics like mindful management and the board’s role in ethical cultures.
– **Benison: The Practice of Ethical Leadership** by Markkula Center: Commentary on practical ethical leadership applications.
– **Ethical Leadership & Corporate Governance** articles from Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org): In-depth pieces on ethics in business leadership.
– **Business Ethics and Leadership** articles from MIT Sloan Management Review (https://sloanreview.mit.edu): Focuses on ethical strategies in management.
– **What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?** by Harvard Professional Development: Explains the value and skills needed for ethical leadership.
– **Ethical Leadership: Guide and Best Practices** by Diligent: Strategies for culture-building and compliance in organizations.
Case Studies and Tools
– **Leadership Ethics Cases** by Markkula Center: Real-world dilemmas like handling downsizing or CEO accountability.
– Case studies from Steam Leadership: Examples include Satya Nadella at Microsoft (empathy and inclusion), Howard Schultz at Starbucks (employee welfare), Paul Polman at Unilever (sustainability), Mary Barra at GM (crisis accountability), and Patagonia (environmental responsibility).
– **Ethical Decision-Making Framework (EDMF)**: A step-by-step tool for identifying dilemmas, evaluating options, and reviewing outcomes.
– **The Four-Way Test** by Rotary International: Evaluates decisions based on truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit.
– **PLUS Decision-Making Model**: Focuses on policies, legal requirements, universal values, and self-awareness.
– **Stakeholder Impact Analysis**: Assesses decision effects on various groups to balance interests.
– **Virtue Ethics Approach**: Based on moral character, asking what a virtuous person would do.
– **Utilitarian Approach**: Aims for the greatest good for the most people.
– **Deontological Approach**: Emphasizes duties and rules regardless of consequences.
These resources can be accessed directly via the linked organizations or platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or university sites. Start with a course or article that aligns with your interests, such as decision-making frameworks for practical application.
Thank to my new friend Grok, my work is much more effiicient.
See you in my next post,
Anita H.
Coping with intercultural differences 