Presidential Address:
Ethics, Morals, and Leadership
Members of the SAIMM are facing a rapidly changing global environment and uncertain times at home.
The world is being increasingly challenged by climate change, shortages of arable land and potable water, sustainable energy needs, food security, and a huge growth in urban populations.
Closer to home, South Africa finds itself entrenched in a climate of continual political and economic uncertainty. South Africans are experiencing unemployment, corruption, civil unrest, xenophobia, polarization, increasing debt, and poverty. The reputations of numerous businesses, including Steinhoff, EOH, Tongaat Hulett, KPMG and McKinsey, have been compromised over allegations of corruption.
These dynamics, together with a growing digital economy, are changing the way we communicate, absorb information, and interact with one other. This in turn creates new challenges for the SAIMM, including increasing competition for our members' attention with respect to attendance at conferences, meetings, and working groups.
So, to remain relevant, the SAIMM needs to transform itself. A suitable strategy has been developed and the code of ethics updated to provide ethical guidance to members as they face today's challenges and issues. This update entailed a move away from a more rules-based code to a less prescriptive, values-based code of ethics that is more suited to today's world, and which emphasises the SAIMM's principles and values.
Effective leadership is clearly needed, now more than ever. The SAIMM can and should contribute to the enormous challenges facing South Africa, and this can be achieved by urging members to act ethically and lead effectively when needed.
In this address, on Ethics, Morals, and Leadership I will expand on the above, clarify the differences between ethics and morals, and discuss the essence of leadership and how an appreciation of the difference between ethics and morals can impact our performance as professionals and leaders.
Hopefully, these insights will contribute positively to members as they continue to influence and impact developments across Southern Africa by leading ethically, whenever and wherever required.
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