Creativity and innovation are often touted as the pillars of success in marketing, so much so that phrases such as "thinking outside the box" have become painfully clichéd and notably ineffective in garnering the kind of innovative and driving creativity from companies that companies are looking for. Marketing leaders know how elusive creativity can be, especially in fast-paced workplaces where new trends and technologies demand constant innovation. We are used to asking our teams for more creativity and spending time developing new strategies for buy email list ideation and productive brainstorming.But new research suggests we need to move beyond discussions of creativity in meeting planning and take a more holistic approach to workflow innovation. Recent psychological studies have found a compelling link between ethical leadership traits and creativity in the workplace. We need to start thinking about the impact of our holistic approach to leadership on creativity within our own buy email list organizations, starting with those who lead our marketing efforts.Turning the ethical lens inwardwhat is ethical leadership?Image credit: Elijah O'DonellMuch has been said lately about the importance of ethical business practices. In a recent interview I conducted on how to pivot your business towards ethical marketing, I described ethical marketing as "being socially, culturally and environmentally sensitive, responsible and proactive [...] accountability initiatives , ethical sourcing and production practices, operational transparency and equality in the workplace."Promoting an outside view of ethical business practices is essential for brands wishing to build trusting relationships with their audience. However, encouraging ethical guidance and a buy email list strong set of corporate social values ​​is equally important within the walls of your business.Inspiring employees to strategize as a team and become creative, impactful leaders starts with understanding what your responsibility as a marketing leader is to empower the people you want to get results from.What is Ethical Leadership?Nina McIntyre is an experienced technology industry leader for companies like IBM/Lotus and the former CMO for Carbonite and Newforma. His long career leading marketing teams and developing strategic initiatives for various brands has given him important perspective on the duty and expectations of people in positions of power, both inside and outside of the workplace.