This study examines the relationship between ethical
leadership and sustainable development, with a focus on how leadership
characteristics and styles shape organisational sustainability outcomes. It
emphasises the role of transparency, long-term vision, and stakeholder
inclusivity in driving employee engagement with sustainability goals. Despite
increasing global attention on sustainability, weak ethical leadership across
industries continues to hinder meaningful progress. Challenges such as
short-term profit orientation, greenwashing, disengaged workforces, and missed
opportunities for innovation undermine the successful implementation of
sustainable development initiatives. A systematic literature review was
conducted, guided by a multi-theoretical framework integrating Social Learning
Theory, Transformational Leadership Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Virtue
Ethics. Recent academic studies, organisational reports, and policy documents
(2020–2025) were critically analysed to identify leadership characteristics,
challenges, and strategies relevant to sustainability implementation. This
research advances the understanding of ethical leadership as a catalyst for
organisational and societal transformation. It offers a conceptual framework
that links ethical leadership to employee motivation, organisational trust, and
the achievement of sustainability goals, while also highlighting strategies for
fostering ethical leadership in practice. The study finds that ethical
leadership enhances organisational reputation, fosters employee commitment to
sustainability, and builds trust among stakeholders. Transformational and
servant leadership styles are particularly effective in motivating
pro-sustainability behaviours. However, leaders face persistent tensions
between economic performance and ethical responsibility, which often result in
short-term compromises. Ethical leadership is essential for achieving
sustainable development. By embedding ethical decision-making into
organisational culture and aligning stakeholder interests, leaders can balance
profitability with social and environmental responsibilities. The study
underscores that fostering ethical leadership requires multi-level efforts
across organisations, governments, and civil society to ensure a just and sustainable
future.
Author(s) Details
John Motsamai Modise
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-88417-39-6/CH6
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