Good Leadership Requires the Virtue of Humanity

This post is written by Toby Newstead, Alex Newman, Saeed Loghman, and Ron Riggio.

We live in a time of division, dissension, and conflict. Many countries in the world are led by tyrants who use coercion and punishment to rule their people. In addition, many powerful leaders in business seem to be callous when it comes to the welfare of their employees. Good leadership is not just about being effective, but also requires concern for the welfare and well-being of followers. Critical to this is the virtue of humanity.

In a recent publication, our team of scholars reviewed the research on the impact of leader virtues, specifically, the possession of empathy, compassion, kindness, generosity, love and forgiveness – what we collectively call the “virtue of humanity.” These important human qualities are prominent in most ancient philosophies, from Aristotle and the ancient Greeks to indigenous traditions.

How are these virtues linked to good leadership?

• Empathy helps a leader understand what followers are feeling and experiencing.
• Compassion works to foster well-being in those who are led and causes the leader to strive to alleviate their suffering.
• Forgiveness is important in allowing followers to make amends and helps strengthen leader-follower relationships.
• Love is the leader caring for others’ well-being and personal growth.
• Kindness is being considerate of others.
• Generosity is a leader’s unselfishness that allows the leader to support followers and tend to their needs and wants.

What did we find?

Although the research on the virtue of humanity and the components of it is relatively scarce, the results are clear. For example, leader empathy builds follower trust. Compassionate leaders have more engaged and longer tenured employees. Leader forgiveness can help support organizational performance, as employees are more willing to be innovative and take risks.

What are the practical implications?

In selecting and promoting leaders, it is important to look for leaders who possess humanity.

Leadership development programs should incorporate attention to leader virtues, including the virtue of humanity.

Evaluation of leaders’ performance should include the leader’s virtuous qualities.

In developing organizational cultures, practicing these virtues of humanity will lead to a more positive and supportive culture for everyone. That being said, the virtue of humanity is just as important for followers to possess as leaders. Virtues are related to good character, and good leaders (and followers/team members) need to possess the virtue of humanity.

Why does leader humanity matter more now?

With employee engagement at low levels, “quiet quitting,” and many citizens and employees in financial distress, it is important that leaders at all levels, in politics, business, and in supportive roles, practice the virtues of humanity – showing empathy, compassion, and care for those they lead.

If you are interested in the original article, it is open access, published in the Journal of Management Studies.