If purpose is the compass and strategy is the map, then responsible leadership is the force that turns the plan into reality — navigating, listening, and balancing the often competing interests of stakeholders along the way.

We’ve already discussed the importance of having a clear purpose — the reason why a company exists.

We’ve also explored sustainability as strategy, and how it can transform your approach to business, create value, and become a critical source of competitive advantage.

But who ensures that all of this is implemented with consistency, integrity, and real-world results?

That’s where responsible leadership comes in — not as another leadership trend, but as the element that aligns purpose, strategy, and action, with a deep sense of accountability towards stakeholders.

So, what exactly is Responsible Leadership?

One of the most complete definitions states that:

“Responsible leadership is an orientation or sense of obligation that forms the basis of actions of individuals in executive-level positions toward meeting the needs or interests of those groups who are deemed to constitute a firm’s salient stakeholder(s).” (Javed et al., 2024)

This means that leading responsibly is not just about leading well. It’s about recognizing that leadership has an impact that goes far beyond results — it affects people, communities, systems, and futures. At its core, it is a demanding and thoughtful approach to stakeholder management.

Why does it matter now?

Because the challenges companies face today are no longer limited to technical, operational, or financial issues. They are social, ethical, environmental, and human.

Because leadership today is increasingly about managing tensions and conflicting expectations, between short- and long-term goals, between efficiency and inclusion, between innovation and prudence.

And because stakeholders no longer accept good results alone, they expect good reasons, good practices, and good explanations.

What kind of leadership is happening in your organization?

1. Curious about responsible leadership? Start here:

Whether you’re reflecting on your own leadership or thinking about your manager, rate each statement on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree):

· I demonstrate / My leader demonstrates awareness of the relevant stakeholder claims.

· I weigh / My leader weighs different stakeholder claims before making a decision.

· I consider / My leader considers the consequences of decisions for the affected stakeholders.

· I involve / My leader involves the affected stakeholders in the decision-making process.

· I try / My leader tries to achieve a consensus among the affected stakeholders.

✨ Scoring: Please average your score across the five items to get an overall score.

Interpretation of the overall score:

· 4–5 = High responsible leadership → Stakeholder-oriented, inclusive, deliberative.

· 3 = Moderate responsible leadership → Some awareness, but room to grow.

· 1–2 = Low responsible leadership → Limited stakeholder consideration; time to rethink approach.

Using this as a leader? It’s a mirror for how you show up.

Using this as an employee? It’s a lens for how you experience leadership.

Leading responsibly is not about being soft. It’s about being accountable. About knowing how to listen and how to decide. About understanding that leading today means answering for much more than just profit.

If you’d like to reflect on leadership in your organization — and the impact it creates — we’re here to help.

Have a great and impactful summer!

Adriana Zani and Sofia Conde