“If we had only one rule in this company, it would be the Golden Rule. If we’ve got that one right, no other rules are necessary. --James Blanchard
Like most I learned the Golden Rule from my parents—the Rev. James and Martha Lynn. While I can’t be entirely sure the first time I heard “Do unto others…,” I know it was at an early age. The Golden Rule is one of the fundamentals I learned in kindergarten—share, play fair, be kind, clean up your own mess, say you’re sorry, don’t call names, and don’t tell a lie. Little did I know this rule would play a significant role in shaping my personal code of ethics and leadership.
The Golden Rule, also referred to as the Rule of Reciprocity, has a long history. As a little girl, I was certain my parents invented this rule to ensure I was kind to my older sister. Later, I learned it was biblical, and, only recently did I discover Confucius and Aristotle both are known for their version of the Golden Rule.
- Jesus (30 AD) “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
- Confucius (500 BC)—“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
- Aristotle (325 BC) “We should behave to others as we wish them to behave to us.”
Today, we rely on the Golden Rule as the foundational cornerstone of our ethical leadership. Public education is the one place where leadership has lasting significance. Our children, colleagues, and communities are impacted by the decisions we make.
Are our decisions the stuff legacies are made of? What should we use to guide us beyond our own moral compass and personal values and beliefs? And, to whom should we look as role models for ethical leadership?
While a Google search offers more than 24 million results on ethical leadership, KASA leaders, in 1976, had the foresight to write and adopt their own Golden Rule or Code of Conduct. In 2011-12, the association’s governance committee reviewed the Code to ensure it supports Kentucky’s school administrators in making decisions that are both ethical and effective.
KASA’s Code of Ethics is not on the New York Times bestseller list, but it is based on the Golden Rule. It is intended to supplement the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board Code of Ethics written for certified personnel. The KASA code should be respected and its spirit to be the measure of professional obligation for all school administrators.
KASA members can rest assured when putting this code into action, they will know their decisions are legal and balanced and will enable them to feel confident. The code outlines nine policies and provides commentary on specific behaviors. Most importantly, it reminds us of our personal responsibility to be fully informed about these matters and to assist colleagues in developing such an understanding. To see KASA’s code of ethics in its entirety, visit www.kasa.org -> About KASA -> Code of Ethics.