The Value of Ethical Leadership “Leadership is effective only if carried out in an ethical manner” according to Satterlee (p. 116). Professionalism and ethics coincide together as a professional and personal way of deciding something. They are decided based upon ethical standards, values, and or morals. Vivian-Byrne and Hunt (2014) explain how performing with professional and social ethics deeply affects conjectures, actions, and different exercises that different powers leaders choose to enact. Ethics is indispensable. Ethics is paramount to leadership. Ethics is choosing to do the right thing because it is the right thing. When a manager decides to act in an ethical way, one that shows their morals and values, the organization as a whole …show more content…
Good leadership is not easy. Leadership is complex, it a job in where one needs to get the best performance from their subordinates through motivation. There are multiple different ways and leadership styles a manager may embody when put in charge to lead others. An exceptional leader needs to be well rounded, needs to use his or her talents to organize. It is imperative that the manager chosen to lead an organization is one that shows exceptional qualities of good leadership. A leader can go about many different styles of leadership. There is no absolute leadership style. Many times leaders can mix what they like best in order to be effective in appropriate areas. The leadership styles are not limited to one or even the ones briefly mentioned. The best thing an effective leader can do is observe the people they are going to be leading. By observing the skills of other subordinates, their maturity level, the different scenarios presented, potential situations, and all the external factors that might influence the organizations, a leader can decide which type of leadership to embody that is the best for the organization and subordinates to have produce optimal performance and
There are many different types of leadership styles that are tailored to a firm's goals and resources and the leader must be able to determine which is best. Leadership can make or break an operation as is sets the operational structure and the amount of power each individual has. No matter what a manager must be able to effectively lead a team. They need to be able to motivate individuals and keep them on task so they may reach their goal within a timely manner. Without leadership an operation can fall to pieces if employees lack direction, are unaware of the goal, or lack the passion to execute their task properly.
Leadership ethics by Lamar Odom that basically examines whether doing the right thing is enough in leadership. The author examines this issue given that the behavior of leaders has been one of the most intriguing issues in today’s society and in order to provide insights on ethics in leadership. The title of the book provokes deeper thoughts in the minds of leaders even before they open the book to commence reading. The author of this book is a leadership and ethic consultant who has not only taught numerous courses but also carried out several trainings on this intriguing topic. Professor Odom developed interest in examining this issue following the cliché answers he received from time to time on the question of what ethics is. Actually, Odom’s work in examining ethics in leadership was fueled by the concerns he had regarding the cliché answers he received from students and corporate executives.
This paper will respond to three questions, “Are all managers leaders?” (Phillips & Gully, 2014, p. 425) “What are some common barriers preventing leaders from behaving ethically and how can these barriers be overcome?” (Phillips & Gully, 2014, p. 450) And “Is it possible for leadership substitutes to be effective?” (Phillips & Gully, 2014, p. 450)
This paper will first discuss briefly what ethics are and provide the definition for an ethical issue. An ethical leadership issue is identified and explained for this author’s practice area. We will then identify and discuss key strategies for leadership that are pertinent to the ethical issue. Next, empirical evidence which supports the strategies discussed will be analyzed. Then, the impact and importance of the strategies will be stated. The final step will be to provide a conclusion to the reader that summarizes the content and strategies.
Plato once asked whether you would rather be "an unethical person with a good reputation or an ethical person with a reputation for injustice." Ethical leadership has long been a debate in regards to its importance and place in the universal business world.
Ethical leadership is commonly connected with characteristics like fairness and honesty, that can enable a person within an organization to do the right thing. In responding to the lack of attention to the ethical dimensions of positive leadership Brown and colleagues designed a definition for ethical leadership. They would define it as “the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such
It is only during moral lapses and corporate scandals that interest groups and the broader public ask themselves the fundamental ethical questions, who are the managers of the organization and were they acting with the ethical guidelines. For a long time, the issue of ethics was largely ignored, with organizations focusing on profit maximization. However, this has changed, and much attention is now focused on ethics management by researchers and leaders. The issue of ethics has arisen at a time when public trust on corporate governance is low, and the legitimacy of leadership is being questioned. Leaders are expected to be the source of moral development and ethical guidance to their employees.
In the current society today, the roles that leaders play in an organisation are much more significant and are studied in greater depth. The importance of ethically managing an organization and leading the entire organization towards a similar purpose and message requires great leadership. With this, we would look further into the practice of ethical leadership; how it’s defined and attempt to provide a more comprehensive understanding of ethical leadership and it’s relation with integrity.
“Ethical leadership is leadership that is directed by respect for ethical beliefs and values and for the dignity and rights of others. It is thus related to concepts such as trust, honesty, consideration, charisma and fairness.”
Leadership is by all means a special talent that not all people possess. A leader must also have ethics to be effective for the long term in the corporate world. These leaders generally implement ethical programs in order to influence an organizations climate (Yukl, 2010). I will evaluate the importance of ethical leadership and the role it plays into today’s organizations. In addition, I will discuss the repercussions a company may have when its leadership allows and even rewards unethical business practices. Lastly, I will apply my personal leadership perspective. My perspective will include the path-goal theory and ethical practices that I find important to
The study of ethics is fundamental to leadership effectiveness. Human relationships, our being, and roles in society influence morality by right and wrong, good and evil, or just and unjust actions. As a human relationship, leadership hallmarks power, influence, vision, obligation, and responsibility (Ciulla, 2003). These attributes can undermine or contribute to the success of the ethical and effective leader in education.
Ethics based leadership theories are primarily concerned with addressing three concerns. The first concern is the intent of individuals, regardless whether they are managers or just team members of an organization. The second issue involves the selection of proper means for doing things and the last concern surrounds the selection of proper ends. Ethics-based leadership has five key models; the basic integrity model of the virtuous leader, the ethical leader as a moral manager, the ethical leader as an authentic leader, the ethical leader as a spiritual mentor to followers, clients and constituents, and the ethical leader as a transforming agent of change for the common good.
In theory, the complexity of modern leadership entails the fact that ethics impact all aspects of leadership in the modern world (Ciulla, 2004, and Mihelic, et al., 2010). As such, leaders have been forced to develop both personal and professional ethics that should be adhered to during decision-making procedures to enable them run their organizations and units that they manage in an ethical manner (Ciulla, 2004, and Mihelic, et al., 2010). In this way, they will be able to not only provide directions act towards ethical practices but will also help themselves and their subordinates get adequate space and time for inventive development as well as adjustments for
Focus on ethical leadership has increased with the fall of companies such as Target, Enron, and Tyco. Ethical leadership examines the heart of leadership, comparing leader professional morals and style with the organization’s mission (Palmer, 2009). When leadership actions are in
Although someone in a management position may have to assume a leadership role, it does not mean that this person is automatically fit to lead. Just because an organization provides its managers with certain formal rights is not assurance that they will be able to lead effectively. (Robbins & Judge p. 12) Sometimes, leaders emerge from a group without having a formal title or position. With the need for organizations to have not only strong management but strong leadership, it is important to fit the leader’s leadership style to the situation. Finding the right leader for the position is not the only concern however. It is also important to have leaders who are ethical and that can be trusted. Unfortunately, making sure leaders act with proper ethical values is largely overlooked