Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the perceptions of 12 contemporary leaders regarding moral leadership. The leaders were selected to be interviewed by graduate students from a private, Catholic university in South Florida. These selections were based on a moral leadership rating-scale survey-designed by the researcher. The leaders were asked about how they define moral leadership, their perceptions regarding who and what led them to become moral leaders, whom they hold in high esteem for moral and ethical leadership, how they empower others to be positive change agents, and whether individuals can be educated to be moral leaders. The results indicated that the interviewees defined moral leadership as leading by example, taking a stand, calling forth the best in others, and following one's own and/or a prescribed definition of right and wrong. The leaders believed that their primary influences for moral leadership included parents, faith, education or teachers, mentors or friends, and peak events or life experiences. All the interviewees indicated that they are positive change agents and empower others by getting them to participate, by encouraging, by being examples, by raising the consciousness of others, and by helping others to discover their own power and interests. Interviewees believed that people can be educated to be moral and ethical and suggested ways that universities might assist students to reach a greater moral potential