Ethical Leadership: The Role of Ethical Competencies in Doctoral Supervision Context in Canada

Abstract

Due to the influence factor in leader-follower relationships, leadership is an ethical undertaking by nature. In doctoral supervision, ethics are a critical competency, especially since it is an authoritative leadership context based on positional power. Doctoral supervisors have the power to impact their students’ well-being and performance, which means that ethics and ethical leadership could be the most important competency that can make the difference in effective supervision. In this chapter, we examined the nature of ethics and ethical leadership in doctoral supervision based on the supervisors’ and doctoral students’ lived experiences and perspectives. Data analysis of the participant’ responses revealed the importance of key ethical competencies in the context of graduate supervision: commitment, stewardship, honesty, justice/fairness, benevolence, nonmaleficence, respect, and autonomy. The data have shown that these competencies are vital within the doctoral supervision context as they can help maintain students’ well-being and enhance their performance. Findings suggest that attention to ethical practices is key to the development of positive supervisory relationships and the implementation of successful doctoral programs.