Virtue-Based Approach Virtue-based theories are related to leaders and who they are and are grounded

in the leader’s character. In addition, these virtues can be learned and retained through experience and
practice. This learning occurs in an individual’s family and the various communities with which an
individual interacts throughout his or her lifetime. This perspective can be traced back to Plato and
Aristotle. Aristotle believed that individuals could be helped to become more virtuous and that more
attention should be given to telling individuals what to be as opposed to telling them what to do
(Velasquez, 1992). Aristotle suggested the following virtues as exemplars of an ethical person:
generosity, courage, temperance, sociability, self-control, honesty, fairness, modesty, and justice
(Velasquez, 1992). Velasquez argued that organizational managers should learn and retain virtues “such
as perseverance,