When a person of authority coerces our team to act unethically, our failure to respond destroys team safety, erodes our ability to influence, and puts our credibility at risk. It is in these times we are tested to know if we are worthy to be called leader.

Leading through precarious times is required of exemplary leaders and our ability to do so relies squarely on our core values.

Here are 3 suggestions to consider as we plan the course of action to deliver our teams from being complicit in unethical behavior:

1) Get the facts

Gather facts first; then act to ensure we protect the team from acting against the organization's policy.   We do this by learning the policy and what it is in place to protect and the consequences for non-compliance.  During fact gathering, we discover all we can about who is responsible for its enforcement.

2) Develop a strategy

If a leader is coercing the team contrary to the organizational policy, immediately take steps to protect the team by moving them to the high ground.  Neutralize the threat first, then put in place a strategy to protect from re-occurrence.

3) Secure the right help

People who easily break corporate rules and cultural norms will not hesitate to turn on others under their authority to force compliance.  Help comes from policy and those with the job to enforce it can help. Best to appeal to those with a greater scope of authority. It is our responsibility to assemble the right help to effectively defeat the threat.

Actions to consider:

• Identify people who can help you and your team should trouble come

• Schedule time to get to know them before you need their help

Susan Scott gets it right in her approach to leadership. Her book Fierce Leadership is one of the best I’ve read and a well thought out guide full of actionable ideas you can apply to grow your leadership