Application Evaluation

Nominees are contacted by Synergy & Leadership Exchange and invited to apply for the award. Applications are evaluated by a team of volunteers who serve without compensation. They are experienced practitioners and leaders from the private, public and independent sectors who are committed to quality character and ethical leadership development.

The evaluation panel is assembled with an emphasis on expertise. The background and relationship of all evaluators to any applicants is reviewed to avoid conflicts of interest. Evaluators sign a Confidentiality/Conflict of Interest Statement. The evaluators score, rank and discuss the applications and make award recommendations. Synergy & Leadership Exchange finalizes the recommendations and contacts all applicants.

Applications are evaluated on the evidence of character strength and ethical leadership skill development in program participants, the measurable changes in character and ethical leadership, evidence of community-wide collaboration, and replicable program elements.

Honorees

(add content --no photos-- from https://synergyexchange.org/Celebrate/MELA/Honorees.aspx

Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership is leading, acting and making decisions ethically, in the way you treat others in everyday interactions, in your attitude and in the way you encourage and empower others to do and be their best. It begins by knowing your core values and having the courage to live them in all areas of your life in service of the common good (Center for Ethical Leadership). Having a clear ethical framework to draw on is important in making good decisions and taking action. Here are some tools for developing ethical leadership:

• Synergy Core Values Exercise
• Thinking Ethically: A Framework for Moral Decision Making
• Making an Ethical Decision
• Checklist for practicing ethical leadership

Attributes of Ethical Leadership

What does ethical leadership look like in thought and action? Below are some attributes of ethical leadership, shared from the Institute for Ethical Leadership:

• Being reliable and dependable
• Being willing to admit mistakes
• Being true to your word
• Being worthy of confidence
• Keeping promises
• Keeps promises and commitments and expects others to keep theirs
• Maintains loyalty to those not present
• Apologizes sincerely
• Acts with honesty
• Takes responsibility and amends mistakes
• Treats others with dignity and respect
• Empowers others to improve the world (from Ethical Leaders in Action, 2015)

Character

Character is much broader than a list of traits. It is a complex and personal construct that evokes a variety of definitions and emotions. The Minnesota Character Council’s definition of character:

A person's character consists of values and habits which shape behavior. A person of good character is trustworthy, responsible and concerned with the well-being of others. Good character consists of healthy self-awareness, positive self-management, insightful social awareness, and the ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships.

Attributes of Good Character

Good character is reflected when individuals and organizations strive to do and be their best, making decisions that positively affect themselves and others. Although there are many ways good character is expressed, below are a few attributes, using ideas from the Kansas Social, Emotional, and Character Development Model Standards (2012). Individuals with good character:

• Treat others as they wish to be treated and give their best effort
• Assume responsibility for thoughts and actions
• Strive for excellence by committing to hard work, persistence and internal motivation
• Display creativity and innovation, critical thinking and effective problem solving
• Exhibit an understanding of other perspectives and cultures
• Model responsible citizenship and exhibit respect for human dignity For an inspiring look at how finding your inherent character strengths can lead to living a happier and more fulfilling life, check out this 8-minute video, Science of Character.