Ethical Perspectives

Ethical Perspectives October 18, 2011

Moral Objectivism • Moral principles have objective validity, independent of cultural acceptance • Moral principles or rules will serve as good reasons and the best guidance for making practical decisions • Actions should be guided by standards that are established to determine if the actions would be one which all people would follow and which would produce the greatest good

Moral Objectivism • There are close connections between moral objectivism and authoritarian approaches to leadership in organizations • Leaders simply need good knowledge of the rules and closely follows them

Utilitarianism • Argue that ethical choices/decisions should be made on their consequences rather then individual duty • Best decisions are those that generate most benefits as compared to disadvantages • Benefits the largest number of people • End result is attempting to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Virtue Ethics • Argue that ethical choices/decisions should be made on their consequences rather then individual duty • Best decisions are those that generate most benefits as compared to disadvantages • Benefits the largest number of people • End result is attempting to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Challenge of Information Management • Leaders typically have more access to information than their followers. • Leaders have access to financial data, personnel files, network with other leaders of other units, or participate in upper-level decisions.

Deception: Right or Wrong • Deciding whether or not to tell the truth • Are there certain situations or conditions when deception is appropriate or necessary? • Ethics also involved in deciding when to share information, with whom to share the information, how to get the information, and even how to share the information?

Leaders Casting Shadows • Telling lies for selfish ends • Using information solely for personal benefit • Denying having knowledge that is in their possession • Gathering data in a way that violates privacy rights • Withholding information that followers legitimately need

Leaders Casting Shadows • Sharing information with the wrong people • Putting followers in moral binds by insisting that they withhold information that others have a right to know

Challenge of Responsibility • Leaders held accountable for the actions of others • Leaders can set an ethical tone for the entire organization • Responsible leaders acknowledge and try to correct or address ethical problems • They take responsibility for the consequences of their orders and actions

Challenge of Consistency • Acting inconsistently can raise ethical dilemmas • What are some examples of acting inconsistently that can lead to ethical dilemmas? • Leaders may cast shadows when they appear to act arbitrary and inconsistently

Moral Sensitivity: Identifying the Existence of Ethical Problems • Increase sensitivity • Engage in active listening to learn about possible ethical consequences of your decisions/choices • Challenge your thinking to insure you are not overlooking important moral considerations • Use ethical terms such as values or fairness when describing problems and solutions that involve ethical dilemmas

Moral Judgment • Deciding what course of action is the right one to follow • Ethical reasoning rests on principles such as justice, cooperation, and respect for others

Moral Motivation • Refers to following through on your choices or decisions • Leaders ideally create an ethically rewarding environment and they manage their own emotions • Evaluating on processes as well as on results

Moral Character • Refers to persistence in implementing ethical actions • Leaders ideally believe they can make a difference • Leaders understand the culture and master the context so they can respond effectively when needed • Leaders build communication competence so they can put into their decisions into actions

Authentic Leaders • Heightened levels of self-awareness including knowing and trusting their feelings and thoughts and being aware and committed to their values. • Balanced processing includes having positive self-esteem and recognizing weaknesses and taking steps to improve them

Authentic Leaders • Authentic behavior—leaders give priority to their values rather than conforming to the group. • They resist group and organizational pressures to act in a way that is inconsistent with their principles • Leaders are sensitive to the demands of the situation

Altruism • Making concerns for others the ultimate ethical standard • We ought to help others regardless of whether we get any benefit from doing so.

Questions • Do you think altruism is part of human nature? • Should leaders act as “servants” to their followers?

Self-Reflection: Page 364 • See number 2 application exercise: Think of an ethical dilemma you have faced and analyze your response based on Rest’s four-component model. • What are the most important top three virtues of leaders? Defend your choices.

Ethical Perspectives