Responsible roots
Career Escalators / May 22, 2025
Naomí BirdthistleMBA director, GRiffith University
In the business scenario in rapid evolution, the need for responsible leadership has never been more critical. Responsible leadership implies the management of social interactions of corporations to address conernos of interested parties and improve economic, social and environmental performance. It requires a dedication to ethical behavior, responsibility and a long -term vision that prioritizes the well -being of all interested parties, including employees, clients, communities and the environment. The responsible leaders are those who, therefore, prioritize ethical behavior, sustainability and well -being of all interested parties. As director of the MBA program of the Griffith University, I recognize the critical importance of equipping future business leaders with the skills and mentality required for the responsible leadership in the dynamic and complex environment today.
Why do we need response leaders?
Recent history has shown us the devastating consequences of irresponsible leadership, which underlines the importance of integrity and responsibility in manifestations organizations. Let’s take, for example, the infamous Enron scandal. Once a titan in the energy sector, Enron’s senior executives dedicated themselves to generalized accounting fraud to hide the debt and inflate the profits. This deceptive behavior led to the spectacular collapse of the company, which resulted in massive losses and significant erosion of public confidence in corporate governance. Similarly, the fall of Theranos, a health technology company, is a marked reminder of the dangers of misleading. Founder Elizabeth Holmes cheated investors and the public about the capacities of her company’s blood test technology, leading to criminal positions and substantial financial losses. These exams underline the importance of responsible leadership in ethical behavior, transparency and accountability of the organization. They also highlight the consequences of great rota of irresponsible leadership, not only for colleagues involved but also for their employees, clients and society in general.
In contrast, response leaders such as Rose Marlar, former CEO of Patagonia, demonstrate the power of ethical decision making. Under its leadership, Patagonia promised environmental sustainability and social responsibility, establishing a point of reference for other companies to follow. Sara Menker, founder and executive director of Gro Intelligence, offers another responsible example or leadership. Menker’s company uses data to predict world food and agriculture markets, addressing the pressing problem of resources scarcity. Its innovative approach highlights the role of responsible leadership to guarantee food security for future generations. To read the full article, click Gentleman!
