In the Lead Magazine Explores Ethical Leadership in Spring 2026 Edition

Seton Hall University’s Buccino Leadership Institute has released the Spring 2026 edition of In the Lead magazine, continuing its tradition of examining timely leadership challenges through research, real-world experience and values-based reflection. This newest edition centers on ethical leadership, exploring how integrity and accountability shape effective leadership in an increasingly complex world.

Edited by Ruchin Kansal, M.B.A., founding editor of In the Lead, the publication brings together voices from industry leaders, scholars and emerging practitioners to examine how ethical decision-making influences organizations, workplaces and society. The issue arrives at a moment when leaders face rapid technological change, evolving workplace expectations and heightened scrutiny around trust and transparency.

In his letter from the editor, Kansal frames ethics not as an abstract ideal but as a daily practice shaped by individual choices and responsibility. Ethical actions, he writes, ultimately reflect accountability, character and fairness — decisions leaders must make consistently, even without a universal standard to guide them.

Among the featured articles:

• “The Honest Edge” by Tim Schmidt opens the magazine by examining why integrity serves as a competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting how ethical choices build long-term trust and organizational credibility.
• “In Focus with Dennis De Almeida ’11” profiles the Seton Hall alumnus and investment leader, who reflects on career development, mentorship and the lasting influence of ethical leadership principles learned during his time at the University. 
• Sahana Kakar’s “Ethical is Equitable” explores the relationship between personal conviction and collective fairness, emphasizing that ethical leadership requires continual reflection and intentional action. 
• In “In the Lead with Jennifer Fraser,” the neuroscience behind workplace bullying and abuse cultures is examined, offering strategies for creating healthier organizational environments.
• Similarly, Angelina Irizari-Policarpio’s “Principled Transparency” argues that contextual honesty remains essential to maintaining organizational credibility while safeguarding human dignity.
• In “Gauging Value,” Viswa Viswanathan considers how an overreliance on quarterly goals can distance organizations from their broader mission, while Tarun Kishnani’s “Empowered by the Many” reimagines leadership through a one-for-all model that prioritizes collective empowerment over individual authority.
• The magazine’s In the Crucible series continues with “Radiating Trust,” in which Darlene Cunha examines how small, everyday acts of integrity accumulate into lasting organizational trust and transformation.
• A case study by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Robert L. Caslen Jr., DBA, “Character Moves the Mission,” further underscores how the standards leaders enforce ultimately define culture and mission success.
• Closing the issue, “Your Majesty’s Management (Point / Counterpoint)” — reviewed by Paula Alexander, Ph.D., J.D. and Stephen Wood, M.S. — reflects on leadership lessons drawn from a seventy-year royal reign, presenting a discussion of executive presence and soft power through a modern leadership lens.

Across articles, a central theme emerges: ethical leadership is not defined solely by outcomes, but by how leaders achieve them. Contributors emphasize that trust — built through competence, integrity and empathy — remains foundational to organizational success and human-centered leadership. 

The issue also reflects the mission of the Buccino Leadership Institute, which celebrates its 30th anniversary milestone, highlighting three decades of developing leaders committed to service, innovation and values-driven impact. 

As Kansal writes, the takeaway is clear: ethical leadership is not a luxury or occasional consideration — it must guide how leaders show up every day. 

The Spring 2026 issue of In the Lead magazine is available through the Buccino Leadership Institute and the Stillman School of Business’ Department of Management and continues Seton Hall’s commitment to advancing thoughtful, principled leadership across disciplines and industries.

Categories: Business, Campus Life