Ethical Leadership Analysis

1158 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Theory of ethical leadership

Synthesis Paper Ethical behavior is distinguishing and performing ones actions accordingly. The trouble with this statement stems the questions of what is considered as “right.” The definition of this word varies according to individuals, customs, and beliefs. Ethical behavior represents a value system that has been developed from a logical analysis of society, established by fairness, integrity, the desires and privileges of people and oneself. Ethical leadership comprises of two aspects. First, ethical leaders have to perform and make ethical judgments. Secondly, ethical leaders should direct fairly, through daily interactions with others, through motivations of employees and team members, and through the way of which he/she leads his/her company, …show more content…

Keeping in mind, as a leader, that he/she is a role model. Individuals will acquire ideas about the how the organization operates, the culture of the organization, and about what is considered as ethical behavior, from the leader. This paper presents a comparative analysis of three articles: Kottle and Pelletier (2013), Groves and LaRocca (2011), and Cheng and Wang (2015). These three articles concentrated on the ethical behavior of a leader. An analysis of these articles establishes a theme and general perception of the ethical behavior of a leader. The importance of understanding ethics, incentives that operate as an example and forming strategies for businesses are discussed because of their importance regarding development of good leadership. These key aspects suggest personal ethics positively affect leadership and when made a priority for leaders will produce ethical and effective leadership. An examination of the research questions will be followed by a review of the samples, results and conclusions

Show More
Related

  • General Motors's Ethical Behavior

    1275 Words  | 3 Pages

    Leaders who treat their employees with fairness, honesty, and provide frequent, accurate information are seen as more effective. According to Robbins and Judge (2014), “trust is a primary attribute associated with leadership and followers who trust a leader are confident their rights and interest will not be abused” (p.193). The old General Motor Corporation had eleven different CEO’s from 1923 until 2009 each with their own unique leadership style, which directed employees toward the organization goals. Unfortunately, many of the top level managers under the CEO’s had the tendency of filtering out information that did not match up with their pre-conceived notions about a particular issue and they lacked upward communication. One consumer goal of General Motors was to build trust in the company so people would be repeat customers, but building trust between employees and establishing an ethical culture was not a top priority of the organization. Goal directed leadership alone is important, but differs from a structure of leadership based on ethics. It is important to note, that effective leadership may not be the same as leadership founded on ethical principles. Business competence must exist, along with personal leadership accountability in ethical decisions. Within the General Motors organization, ethics and leadership did not interconnect; there were misalignment between the

    Read More

  • Leadership Briefing: Poor Ethical Practices Of Pharmaceutical Companies

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    To apply this system of moral values effectively, one must understand the structural levels at which ethical dilemmas occur, who is involved in the dilemmas, and how a particular decision will affect them. In addition, one must consider how to formulate possible courses of action. Failing in any of these three areas may lead to an ineffective decision, resulting in more pain than cure.” Ken Blanchard states, “Many leaders don’t operate ethically because they don’t understand leadership; these executives may have MBA’s from Ivey League schools or have attended leadership training; they may routinely read the best-selling management books, however, they don’t understand what it means to be a leader.” They don’t model a way of ethical behaviors.

    Read More

  • Ethical Leadership Definition

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    Looking at the first word in ethical leadership we see, as stated in the Webster-Merriam dictionary, ethical is defined as “following accepted rules of behavior: morally right and good”. When we think of someone who is ethical we, first, think of someone who ‘follows the rules’. By following the rules I mean someone who in the eyes of the majority is morally sound. Having strong morals is what I believe the key is to an ethical person. On the other side of the definition of ethical is defining it as having inside oneself the desire to do what’s right over what is wrong. When we speak about someone who is ethical this desire is one that is not dependent on external forces i.e. no one can sway an ethical person’s mindset.

    Read More

  • Lack of Ethical Behavior in the Cases of Bernie Madoff and Enron

    669 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ethical behavior is behavior that a person considers appropriate. A person’s moral principles are shaped from birth, and developed over time throughout the person’s life. There are many factors that can influence what a person believes is right, or what is wrong. Some factors are a person’s family, religious beliefs, culture, and experiences. In business, it is of great importance for an employee to understand how to act ethically to prevent a company from being sued, and receiving criticism from the public while bringing in profits for the company.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas in Leadership: A Historical Perspective

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    German Philosopher, Immanuel Kant once said, “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so” (1800). The word ethics refers to “character” and “conduct” (Northouse, 2015, p. 330). It is deeply “concerned with the virtuousness of individuals and their motives” and “the kinds of values and morals an individual or a society finds desirable or appropriate” (Northouse, 2015, p. 330). Thus, “in regards to leadership, ethics is concerned with what leaders do and who leaders are” (Northouse, 2015, p. 330). Ethics in leadership allows leaders to make decisions regarding what is virtuous or not in a situation. All throughout the history of American government, difficult decisions have been made and the fight for ethics has always been “implicitly or explicitly involved” (Northouse, 2015, p. 330).

    Read More

  • Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs And Ethics Analysis

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every individual has certain values and ethics that he/she stands by. Values give us a sense of what is important while ethics gives us a sense of what is right and wrong. Together, these qualities help guide us through our everyday life: what actions to take and what decision to make. Sticking to ethical standards allows you to stay clear of trouble; therefore, strengthening people’s trust in you. In return, this leads to gaining people’s respect and cooperation, which may result in leadership responsibilities. Therefore, we believe that personal values and ethics will affect a person’s career success. However, there are times where individuals will make unethical choices--some situations might question your resolve. This can be caused by

    Read More

  • Ethical Leadership Issues

    2793 Words  | 6 Pages

    With so many constant changes today with different generations, legal and political circumstances and ever-changing and improving technology sources, organizations have new and recurring issues arising every single day. The reasons for these issues vary widely and develop because of so many different situations. The outcome of the situation depends on many factors including the issue at hand, the management style and the ethics of the organization to simply name a few. These outcomes can certainly make or break an organization if not handled appropriately. The issue I have found to be the most significant is leadership. Within leadership, there is the opportunity for many issues in itself.

    Read More

  • Ethical Climate Essay

    1173 Words  | 3 Pages

    Organizations are constantly tested with various moral and ethical problems and dilemmas. Organizational leaders are the key to establishing an ethical climate in the workplace. By understanding and improving their own moral reasoning, and the biases that affect moral judgment, they enable themselves to make better decisions. This has a catalytic effect that positively increases organizational climate, ultimately improving all organizational behavior.

    Read More

  • Ethics Of Leadership Essay

    1950 Words  | 4 Pages

    There's no one to blame but there are a million or so of us to take responsibility, to fix it from within, and that is the hallmark of a nation and a people. That's leadership, management, tradition and spirituality. Granted, the solutions don't come easy. I know that from my personal experience, just as we know that it's the willingness to struggle towards the ideal that elevates us as individuals, communities and societies. Therefore, leadership plays a very important role in our lives. The ethics of leadership rests upon three pillars: (1) the moral character of the leader; (2) the ethical legitimacy of the values embedded in the leaders vision, articulation, and program which followers either embrace or reject; and (3) the morality of the processes of social ethical choice and action that leaders and followers engage in and collectively pursue. Such ethical characteristics of leadership have been widely acknowledged (Wren, 1998). Transformational leaders set examples to be emulated by their followers. And as suggested by Stevens et al., (1998) and demonstrated by Conger & Kanungo (1998) when leaders are more morally mature, those they lead display higher moral reasoning. But not all leadership fits the same pattern and ethical analysis shifts with varying leadership modalities. In the societies of the western world the subject of responsibility is increasing in importance. (Moran, 1996) Issues of responsibility arise in small social units as well as in global societal structures. Responsibility establishes a connection between person and society. Mothers and fathers who care for their children or a person who warns his colleague about taking up business with a questionable partner are examples of responsibility within small so...

    Read More

  • Essay On Ethical Leadership

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    What do Kenneth Lay, Bernard Ebbers, Conrad Black, Dennis Kozlowski, and Scott Thompson have in common? Yes, they were all in high ranking leadership positions, worked for very large companies, and were men. Unfortunately for the companies they worked for, they also lacked any sense of ethical leadership. Ethics are very important in the business world, and managers need to do all they can to hire and retain ethical people.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Ethics in Society

    874 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ethical behaviour is what all career people should aim to have. Not just the ethical attribute but exceptional behaviour with this regard.this is because in order to build a career, one must be governed by the rules of ethics to safeguard oneself and others. Ethics are essential in the workplace because a tough ethical code provides a non-threatening environment with high employee morale. The corporate social responsibility is important to everyone,therefore it should not be neglected by the employees and the organization. Ethics purely center on personal conduct. It involves personal choices that can make or break a person in the workplace or business. The major importance of having good conduct is to maintain a high level of respect not just for people but for the proffession. Most people who begin their working career have aspirations of excelling at their jobs and reaching the pinnacle of their profession while maintaining a sense of values; however employees often become blind with ambition and put aside their sense of ethics in order to obtain financial security and recognition for their efforts. There are many things that one can gain from having good behavioural ethics in the workplace. It will develop a discipline which will propel the work practices to a higher level and will help set a high standard. It will promote teamwork among the workersand will also buil...

    Read More

  • Ethical Business Practices

    500 Words  | 1 Pages

    Ethical behavior is merely making good business decisions based on an established "code of ethics". Entrepreneurs should establish a written code of ethics that can serve as a framework for decisions to be made by the entrepreneur as well as the employees. In developing this code of ethics you should consider the following items:

    Read More

  • Personal Ethics Development

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethical behavior and development are traits and skills that are always improving. Although the skills are improving the basic make up remain the same. The ability to incorporate character, morals, and values encourage a person’s ability to enhance the ethical behavior of an individual. This paper will define the ethical system used to best develop a person, discuss the potential effect that can become beneficial to the corporate environment and explain why organizations need ethics within the company.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Ethical Leadership

    1684 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethical leadership is having an understanding of who you are, what your core values are, having the courage to live them all, in your personal life as well as your work life. Ethical leadership involves leading in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of others. Ethical decision making and leadership are the basis of ethical organizations. Leadership is a relationship between leaders and followers. The foundation of this relationship is trust. The leaders themselves must be ethical in their decisions and actions in order to influence others to behave accordingly. Ethical leadership is to know one’s core values and having the courage to live them through one’s life. Ethics and leaders go hand in hand; ethics is the heart of leadership.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Ethics And Ethics In An Organization

    1249 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Ethics can be defined as moral principles that govern or influence a person’s behaviour and values are the context in which an organisation or society’s norms are established and justified” (buzz text book).Ethics are the guidelines helping us tell the difference between the is wrong and right. Most people are encouraged by ethics to normally do the right things. Ethics and values are based on individual beliefs and standards in society that one if from, they vary from person to person. Leadership is the authority and capability for one to lead people in an organization in order to achieve goals. They are the main role players in all the organizations and are crucial to their success. Ethics in a business means taking the precise way’

    Read More

More about Ethical Leadership Analysis

Open Document