Leadership, Trustworthiness and Ethical Stewardship

Leadership, Trustworthiness and Ethical Stewardship is a research article by Cam Caldwell, Linda A. Hayes and Do Tien Long that examines the relationship between leadership behaviours, perceptions of trustworthiness and ethical stewardship. Drawing on leadership and governance research, the article explores how leaders build trust and how trustworthy leadership contributes to ethical, values-based stewardship within organisations.

Participant benefits

• Gain a deeper understanding of the role trust plays in effective leadership and organisational performance.
• Build awareness of the behaviours that contribute to credibility, influence and leadership effectiveness.
• Strengthen their understanding of stewardship as a leadership responsibility rather than simply a governance concept.
• Reflect on how leadership behaviours can shape workplace culture, commitment and stakeholder confidence.
• Apply evidence-based insights to support ethical decision-making and values-driven leadership practices.

What this resource covers

• The relationship between leadership behaviours, trustworthiness and ethical stewardship.
• Research on how leaders build trust through relationship development, effective resource management and consistent behaviours.
• The concept of ethical stewardship and its role in supporting long-term organisational success.
• The importance of integrity, benevolence and competence in shaping perceptions of trustworthy leadership.
• Empirical findings about how trust influences commitment, engagement and stakeholder relationships.

Suitable for

Current and aspiring leaders, SES employees, managers, HR professionals, organisational development practitioners, governance professionals, and anyone interested in ethical leadership, trust and organisational culture.