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ADM 612 - Leadership. Lecture 14 – Leadership Ethics. Introduction. Very little unifying literature on leadership ethics. Ethics Defined. Ethics derives from the Greek word “ethos” meaning “customs”, “conduct”, or “character.”
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ADM 612 - Leadership Lecture 14 – Leadership Ethics
Introduction • Very little unifying literature on leadership ethics.
Ethics Defined • Ethics derives from the Greek word “ethos” meaning “customs”, “conduct”, or “character.” • Concerned with the kinds of values and morals an individual or society finds desirable or appropriate. • Also concerns virtuousness of individuals and their motives.
Ethics Defined • In terms of leadership, ethics has to do with what leaders do and who leaders are.
Ethical Theories • Ethical theories can be divided broadly between theories about leaders’ conduct and about their characters. • The conduct theories can be further subdivided into theories about consequences and duties or rules.
Deontological Theories (Duty) • Is the action itself good? Not just the consequences. • Actions of the leader and his or her moral obligation to do the right thing.
Virtue-based Theories • Focuses on the character of the leader. • Virtues and moral abilities are not innate but can be acquired and learned through practice.
Virtue-based Theories • Aristotle (individuals in communities): courage, temperance, generosity, self-control, honesty, sociability, modesty, fairness, and justice. • Velasquez (managers): perseverance, public-spiritedness, integrity, truthfulness, fidelity, benevolence, and humility. • Our virtues come from our actions; and our actions manifest our virtues.
Centrality of Ethics to Leadership • The influence dimension of leadership places a heavy ethical burden and responsibility. • Ethical responsibility to treat subordinates with dignity and respect. • Leaders have a greater ethical responsibility because of their position.
Centrality of Ethics to Leadership • Leaders help to establish and reinforce organizational values. • All leaders have values and have an enormous impact on the ethical values of the organization.
Heifetz’s Perspective on Ethical Leadership • Leaders must use authority to mobilize people to face tough issues. • Provides a “holding environment” in which there is trust, nurturance, and empathy.
Heifetz’s Perspective on Ethical Leadership • Within a supportive context, followers feel safe to confront and deal with hard problems. • Leaders get people to pay attention to issues, act as a reality check, manage and frame issues, orchestrate conflicting perspectives, facilitate decision-making.
Burn’s Perspective on Ethical Leadership • Transformation leadership places a strong emphasis on followers’ needs, values, and morals. • Move followers to higher plane of moral responsibility.
Greenleaf’s Perspective on Ethical Leadership • Servant leadership emphasizes that leaders should be attentive to the concerns of their followers and empathize with them; they should take care of them and nurture them. • Social responsibility to be concerned with the have-nots and recognize them as equal stakeholders in the organization.
Common Themes • Leader-follower relationship central to ethical leadership. • Pay close attention to needs of followers. • “Ethic of caring.”
Strengths • Timely research on ethical issues. • Ethics should be considered an integral part of the broad domain of leadership. • Highlights several principles that are important to the development of ethical leadership.
Criticisms • Early stage of development and does not have a strong body of traditional research findings. • Most of the leadership ethical theory based on the writings of a few individuals who have written essays and texts strongly influenced by their personal opinions.
Application • Not widely taught or used. • But can be taught or used by all individuals at all levels of an organization.
Application • Leadership involves values, and leader must know and be concerned about her own values. • Leaders can better understand themselves and strengthen their own leadership.
Greenleaf’s Perspective on Ethical Leadership • Removes inequalities and social injustices. • Uses less institutional and formal power and shifts more responsibilities to followers.
