At Sapolu Destined Academy, we take immense pride in encouraging our student-athletes to become responsible global citizens. In part, this means fostering ethical leadership traits—pushing students to make compassionate, moral choices in athletics, academics, and as citizens of the world.
Students with an innate ethical compass are better teammates, better peers, and are even poised to become better professionals: A 2021 survey by the advisory firm LRN found that “companies with the strongest ethical cultures outperform their peers by 40 percent across all measures of business performance.” Still, the most vital advantage of ethical leadership is self-evident: Ethical leaders are positive contributors to their communities and powerful agents of change.
Here are four ethical leadership traits that we value at SDA, along with how we encourage students to integrate them into their lives.
Compassion
At SDA, we place enormous emphasis on compassion, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. We value different cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and our students do the same. The result is a respectful community in which everyone feels safe and understood, and a group of students who know how to put themselves in others’ shoes. Our expectation is that they will bring that inclusive approach to high school, college, and beyond.
Dedication
A spirit of dedication can help ethical leaders contribute meaningfully to their communities. At SDA, we encourage full-hearted commitment to both academics and each student’s chosen sport, instilling the value that hard work and intention lead not only to individual success, but also the success of the collective.
Accountability
SDA’s community-oriented approach teaches student-athletes that their choices have implications not only for themselves, but for their teammates and peers. This sense of accountability promotes a team-first mindset and encourages students to act with integrity, honesty, and a sense of the common good.
Collaboration
SDA students have plenty of opportunities to hone their collaborative skills. Small class sizes facilitate close-knit learning and substantial group work, and group athletic training allows students to practice active listening, problem-solving, and adaptability when tackling complex problems. Students will learn that the key to success doesn’t just lie with them; it lies in valuing the opinions, perspectives, and contributions of their peers. This ability to listen and learn is a key facet of ethical leadership.
Our Commitment
At SDA, we don’t just prepare students to become great learners or athletes; we also help them develop into well-rounded individuals. During their time at SDA, they will lay the foundation to become ethical global citizens with an innate sense of justice. This will serve them—and, crucially, their communities—well for years to come.
“Everyone who works at SDA is welcoming, caring, and hardworking,” says one parent. “You can tell their purpose in life is to help shape the overall people these student-athletes will become.”
Want to learn more about SDA’s approach to ethical leadership? Contact our admissions team.
This is a great resource.