Richard Rierson is a real estate investor and leadership mentor with a track record of interviewing successful executives and celebrities. He is the former host of the podcast “Dose of Leadership with Richard Rierson” which includes over 530 inspiring interviews and has been downloaded over 3.5 million times.
Richard Rierson was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Wichita State University in 1991 with a BS in Computer Science. After graduation, he began training for Officer Candidate School (OCS). He spent six months at Infantry School learning leadership and moral, mental, and physical qualities required for an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.
In this interview, Richard Rierson discusses the importance of ethics in leadership and how to navigate moral dilemmas. He shares his experiences with ethical challenges and offers advice for other leaders on making tough decisions.
The Importance of Ethics in Leadership
Richard Rierson believes that ethics is essential for good leadership. He says, “A good leader can make tough decisions and do the right thing, even when it’s not easy.” He adds, “An unethical leader is not a leader at all.”
Richard Rierson believes that ethics is essential for several reasons:
- It helps to build trust and credibility with followers. When followers know their leader is ethical, they are more likely to trust and follow their lead.
- Ethics helps to create a positive work environment. Employees who feel they are working for an ethical company are more likely to be happy and productive.
- Ethics can help to prevent scandals and crises.
When leaders make moral decisions, they are less likely to make mistakes that could damage their company or organization.
Navigating Moral Dilemmas
Richard Rierson acknowledges that there are times when leaders will face moral dilemmas. He says, “There is no easy answer to every question, and sometimes you must make tough decisions.” He adds, “The important thing is always to do the right thing, even when it’s not easy.”
Richard Rierson offers the following advice for leaders who are faced with moral dilemmas:
- Take the time to think through the situation. Don’t decide in the heat of the moment. Take some time to gather information and think about all the options.
- Talk to someone you trust. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to a friend, family member, or mentor about a difficult decision. They can offer you support and guidance.
- Do your research. If you need help figuring out the right thing to do, research the issue. Read articles and books, or talk to experts.
- Make a decision and stick with it. Once you’ve made a decision, don’t second-guess yourself. Be confident in your decision and move forward.
- Be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision. No matter what decision you make, there will be consequences. Be prepared to accept the results of your decision, even if they are not what you want.
Conclusion
Richard Rierson believes that ethics is essential for good leadership. He says, “A good leader can make tough decisions and do the right thing, even when it’s not easy.” He adds, “An unethical leader is not a leader at all.”
Richard Rierson offers the following advice for leaders who are faced with moral dilemmas:
- Take the time to think through the situation.
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Do your research.
- Make a decision and stick with it.
- Be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision.
Richard Rierson’s expertise on moral dilemmas provides invaluable insights for navigating the gray areas of leadership. Through his guidance, leaders can learn to make tough decisions with integrity and compassion, even when the right path may not be immediately apparent.
By staying grounded in their values and seeking out diverse perspectives, leaders can build trust and foster a culture of ethical leadership. Richard Rierson’s teachings serve as a potent reminder that while leadership may be challenging, it is a responsibility that requires courage, humility, and a commitment to doing what is right.
