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Ethical decision making thinking
The importance of ethical decision making
The importance of ethical decision making
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Ethical decisions need to be based on facts, have consistency, and ensure that all stakeholders have clarity with the mission. If the leader doesn’t feel comfortable still with the facts that are presented to them, they should seek their colleague’s opinion by involving them in making a collective and considered decision. If the leader has a mentor that they have asked for their input from before, the leader must ask them-selves, “Would my mentor come up with the same decision.” If the decision isn’t a resounding “yes,” then the leader may need to rethink their decision. Decisions always need to be carefully reviewed and considered, but a leader should set a goal for the decision to become effective and not prolong it. Keywords: Decisions, Stakeholders, Clarity Ethical Decision-Making Decisions Leaders have to make ethical decisions based on the resources that they have available and ensure …show more content…
Taking accountability as a leader for the failure will help inspire credibility among the leader’s peers and direct reports. Disputes will arise, but the leader needs to seek out relevant information and must be unbiased in resolving the conflict in order to make an effective decision. The decision must be made without preference or prejudice. Fairness and equality must be part of the decision to ensure everyone’s interest and concerns are being addressed. (Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions: The basic primer on using The Six Pillars of Character to make better decisions, and a better life, 2007, p. 13) In addition, to making good ethical decisions; it will require the leader to have a good character, knowing what must be done in uncomfortable situations and have the ability to listen to everyone to ensure that they listen to all sides in order to make that ethical decision.
The method of ethical decision making which was developed by Dr. Cathryn A. Baird presented two components contained in all ethical decisions which are; The Four ethical Lenses and the 4+1 Decision process. The Four Ethical Lenses issue claims that different ethical theories and the means in which we tend to approach the situations which form part of our ethical traditions are looked at in four different perspectives. From each perspective there are different values on which to decide whether the action taken is either ethical or not and each lens also lays emphasis on determining whether the decision made is of ethical requirement. In the 4+1 Decision Process, people who are responsible for making final decisions in an organization do it using four specific decision making steps and eventually will end up with one extra decision which gives a chance to reflect. The 4+1 decision process allows the decision makers to give solutions when faced with complicated ethical issues (John Muir Institute for Environmental Studies, 2000).
John Maxwell once said, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” A leader must have a solid foundation as a human being before he can try to pursue the public with his vision. He will be examined from every angle about his leadership traits, style, characteristics, and so forth. All of these areas of leadership come together in what we know as integrity. Integrity is doing what is right morally; it requires honesty, making the “right” decisions for the community, taking the blame, and being selfless.
To understand “ethical decision making” it is best to break the phrase up. What is the definition of ethics? According to the website businessdictionary.com (2011), ethics are “basic concepts and fundamental principles of right human conduct.” It stands to reason that ethical decision making is the ability to make decisions based on core or base principles of correct human conduct. We at Acme Toy Company depend on employees at all levels to make the “right” choices when it comes to business decisions and their own conduct. How do we support them in their ethical decision making?
In today's complex and interconnected world, where ethical dilemmas are increasingly prevalent, a leader without knowledge of the good may struggle to navigate these challenges
Making good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically without consulting the specific steps.
Everyone in this world has experienced an ethical dilemma in different situations and this may arise between one or more individuals. Ethical dilemma is a situation where people have to make complex decisions and are influenced based on personal interest, social environment or norms, and religious beliefs (“Strategic Leadership”, n.d.). The leaders and managers in the company should set guidelines to ensure employees are aware and have a better chance to solve and make ethical decisions. Employees are also responsible in understanding their ethical obligations in order to maintain a positive work environment. The purpose of this case study is to identify the dilemma and analyze different decisions to find ways on how a person should act
In conclusion, the researcher 's personal philosophy of ethics in leadership relating to moral frameworks of virtue ethics and categorical imperatives, find ways to measure values to determine if a behavior, thought, action, or principle is deemed morally right or wrong. The frameworks overall encompass the researcher personal moral philosophies in regards to ethical decision-making. Virtue ethics describe how the researcher logic that positive beliefs present positive feelings. Whereas the researcher beliefs that people must treat others in a positive manner, so it’s returned aligns with the categorical imperative. Applying these frameworks with the researcher personal philosophy assist with ethical decision-making skills to further, advocating on behalf of others as an educational leader within the community.
In my view most important character of a good leader is that they must be compassionate. Having a personality of caring about people is important. You can?t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them. No matter what credential they have and how much experience they have in administration but without being compassionate they can't ever become a responsible and successful leader. For example Hitler is known for his cruelty and he had no feelings for his own race. He failed to understand the feelings of Jews and thus persecuted them. He also failed to know the fact that the strength of his country lies in them, while opposite is Mahatma Gandhi, a major political and spiritual leader of India, followed nonviolent actions, avoiding any bloodshed in the country during their struggle for Independence. Because of his compassionate nature many leaders in today's world has looked him upon. So leader must be compassionate first without being influence by any ulterior motive.
Good, strong, ethical people can have an immeasurable impact on a company as well. “Ethical leadership creates an ethical culture. Top managers provide a blueprint for a firm’s corporate culture. If these leaders fail to express desired ethical behaviors and goals, a corporate culture evolves on its own to reflect the values and norms of the company” (Ferrell, 2015). “Leadership has a significant impact on ethical decision making because leaders have the power to motivate others and enforce the organization’s norms, policies, and viewpoints” (Ferrell, 2015). Often employees will look to management and top leadership for clues as to what is acceptable and what is not. It is not only important to have good role models in those top positions, but to have a culture where they can fully express their ethical
In making decisions, managers are tasked with the responsibility of considering all the principles of ethics and ensuring fairness and transparency in the decisions. In this regard, the concept of integrity is at play in both scenarios. Consequently, the managers have the responsibility of doing that which is right even when there is pressure to do otherwise (Kreitner & Kinicki, 2013). For instance, the manager is presented with different decisions of action. It is the responsibility of the manager to assess and critically analyze the options before coming up with the right decision. Similarly, management principles present an opportunity for the manager to do that which is right even in the wake of pressure to do otherwise. Ultimately, even when the conditions portray an inclination towards the application of a certain decision, the manager must discern the fairest action (Schermerhorn,
Decisions are usually made using a structured method which allows the decision maker to rationalize his or her options and analyze the situation so that the best decision can be made. When ethical dilemmas are introduced, the process if often becomes complicated and can result in the normal process being foregone in favor of emotional or rash decisions. Often risk and uncertainty is present during these ethically challenging decisions. It is up to the person or persons making the decision to ultimately decide if the decision made will be an ethical one. Many times the person making the decision must choose between the ethical approaches, even if it means hurting the organization, or the unethical approach which goes against personal and organizational beliefs but will benefit the organization.
Ethical leadership organizational ethics and socially responsibility are inseparable (Johnson). Leadership is not a inherited gift or family heritage; it is not a degree from an ivy league graduate school. Becoming a leader is an intentional process of growth that must be lived out experientially (Mullane). Ethical leaders demonstrate three distinctive characteristics, knowledge, action and character. Leaders have to have the ability to say “yes” or even “no” to a never ending series of challenges. A leader needs to be able to define their values, character and leadership style. When accepting the role of leadership you become encumbered by ethical issues and concerns. .
To begin with, this paper will scrutinize my ideas of values, integrity, and philosophy and why I believe and follow them I will write about why these fundamental beliefs are important to me. It can be different for each person, but these are my own personal views. To be honest, I believe that my grade for this paper should be an A-. I feel as if I did not use enough vocabulary words. However, I explored and took the time and effort to efficiently compose my thoughts into this paper.
Value and ethics are used as a criteria for decision making. The National Defense University (n.d.) explains this very well as; values determine what is right and wrong, and doing what is right or wrong is ethics (par. 11). With these thoughts in mind I completed the Center for Ethical Leadership Core Values Exercise. This exercise help you identify your larger set of values (Center for Ethical Leadership, 2002). The following qualities help to explain what I use to become a successful
Ethical leaders set the tone for the type of organizational culture they want in their company. Leaders must have strong values that include being trustworthy and loyal. Ethical leaders earn credibility through actions and by equally and fairly holding everyone accountable for their actions. Ethical leaders are sincere and honest in their dealings daily (Yuki, Mahsud, Hassan & Prussia, 2013). The two common traits among ethical leaders are ethics and integrity. Individuals that have ethics and integrity will be successful in the business environment (Smith, 1994). Ethical leaders make ethical decisions. Ethical decision making is a critical factor for a company whose objectives include sustainability, longevity, and ability to generate