Ethical Leadership And The Success Of Competitive Organizations Today

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.

Ethical leadership surrounds the idea that there are behaviours which are accepted as “good” or “bad” and that leaders can base their views and styles on these behaviours. There have been many cases throughout history of highly ethical leaders and some very unethical leader. An example of an ethical leader would be Abraham Lincoln for his ideals to abolish slavery as a leader even facing opposition.

As stated by psychologist, Howard Gardner to behave ethically, a leader should build an ethical mind that strives to do good work. As an exemplar, a leader can put forth ethical behavior by creating and submitting honest, original work and tests. One should constantly review their own behavior. Leaders should reflect on decisions they have made, how they dealt with confrontation, and if they are checking with others appropriately. When assessing, one may ask if the behavior executed resulted in fair treatment for others, if it was right, or if anyone was hurt. Furthermore, leaders may ask their colleagues and mentors to assess them to be sure they adhere to ethical behavior. It is also good practice to act quickly on behaviors that are not deemed ethical (Dubrin, A.J.2013).

Ciulla (1995), suggests that an ethical leader refers to an effective leader. However, in practice, there are both effective and unethical leaders. Furthermore, Yukl (2006), assert that, the relevant criteria for judging the ethical behaviour of a leader include individual values, conscious intentions, freedom of choice, stage of moral development, types of influence used, and use of ethical as well as unethical behaviour. In addition, Table 1 adopted from Yukl and Yukl, (2002), provides the criteria for evaluation of ethical leadership.

This week I chose to focus on ethical leadership within a company. Most people may already have their own ideas as to what ethical leadership already is, however not everyone will be on the same page as to what it is. Ethical leadership has been defined as the practice of behaviors that are deemed normal through personal actions and interpersonal relationships (Neves and Story, 2013). Because of this what might seem ethical to someone from China, may not be viewed in the same light here in the U.S. The article I read suggests that there are several factors when it comes to ethical leadership within a company. Work environment being one of the factors, as well as job characteristics and trust in leader (Neves and Story, 2013).

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.

When reviewing the presented literature resources, it was very extensive in regards to the topic and discussions of good ethical leadership. However, the essential articles in this particular subject matter had concentrated and focuses on the effectiveness of leadership ability to change employee or follower behavior, rather than the motivation behind what make a good leader. Good leaders are capable to change and lead his or her organization without struggle and during time of crisis. He or she should always never stop proven him or herself through lead by good examples. However, he or she should focus on the critical decision to stay engage to help achieve business results. A people leader with character and personality, should focus on measures which behind the existing and current difficulties. This is what I believe why some of the literature sources failed a bit short and not enough information, but based on theories and perception of a good ethical leader. More resources to focus more as regarding the different question asked. Although, some articles and resources has different focuses would likely be included on this paper, but of all addresses certain

Ethical leadership is leadership that is involved in leading in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of others. As leaders are by nature in a position of social power, ethical leadership focuses on how leaders use their social power in the decisions they make, actions they engage in and ways they influence others. Leaders who are ethical demonstrate a level of integrity that is important for stimulating a sense of leader trustworthiness, which is important for followers to accept the vision of the leader.

When you think of achieving effective leadership the ethics definitely comes to mind. Let’s break this down into seven steps: considered 1) Face the complexity involved in making ethical choices. This means that a leader should be willing to talk about ethic choices and help other understand the choices made. 2) Don’t separate ethics from day –to-day business. Leaders should inform the employees the importance of ethics and how the company must operate this way. 3) Don’t allow interpersonal behavior to erode trust. Become an ethical leader that expects and practices respect. (Brooks 2013)

Ethics can be loosely defined as doing the right thing. Leadership should support positive change (Burns, 1978; HERI, 1996), seek the integrity of intention and action (Avolio & Gardner, 2005), be driven by values (Komives et al., 2007), and moral standards (Fairholm, 1997). A knowledge of ethics roots leadership practice in a set of ground rules that includes honesty, fair practice, and a desire to seek betterment and continuous improvement for followers.

According to Grace (2006) defines ethical leadership is that ‘knowing your core values and having the courage to live them in all parts of your life in service of the common good.’ Ciulla suggests the three categories to ethical leadership: intentions, relational and the ends (Schedlitzki and Edwards 2014).

In order to be a successful ethical leader there are many activities that can be promoted to encourage ethical behavior in one’s organization. An ethical leader will create programs that endorse integrity in business. Programs can include setting guidelines for dealing with ethical issues, open discussion on ethical issues, and establish a protocol for people to get advice (Yukl, 2010). By establishing programs an ethical leader is really changing and encouraging moral behavior which can affect an organizations work environment and improve moral. By empowering your employees to know how to handle ethical dilemmas you create a new found trust.

Leadership is fundamental to every successful process known to mankind. There must always be someone who is willing to initiate the first step, and by example, others are given inspiration or purpose to follow suit. Though many definitions exist, Josh Kuehler captures the essence of leadership in business by noting "Leadership is the ability to inspire motivation in others to move toward a desirable vision. While management is focused on tasks, leadership is focused on the person. All in all, the best leadership drives change and long-lasting motivation." (Helmrich, 2015, p. 1) Given the thousands of leadership definitions, why did I choose this one? Because it clearly highlights a clear difference between leadership and management. Leadership is about people, not about processes, and people enable a strong ethics program. Therefore, my belief is that leadership, not management is the primary catalyst behind a flexible yet sustainable ethics program in any organization, private or public. Whether establishing, modifying, or cultivating a successful ethics program, leadership involvement at all levels of an organization is absolutely paramount.

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

I will examine the importance of personal ethics in leadership and how ethics produce effective leaders in organizations today. The importance of understanding ethics, motivation to act as a role model and developing a plan of action for an organization are discussed because of their importance regarding development of good leadership. These key points suggest personal ethics positively affect leadership and when made a priority for leaders will produce ethical and effective leadership. With so many definitions of leadership, the question evolved from “what is the definition of leadership?” to “what is good leadership” (Ciulla, 2004, p. 13). To develop a system of values one must compile a list of the most important instrumental values and terminal values. These lists are unique to every individual because they are determined by personal importance. Instrumental values, such as honest, helpful, ambitious, responsible, etc. should reinforce terminal values. Once a leader’s means are consistent with desired goals, their value system is unified and they have climbed the staircase from the lobby to the first level of values. The climb from the first floor to the second floor results in a person incorporating principles into their newly developed values. Although values act as the bedrock of ethics, principles are required because alone, “values are far too vague to have much meaning in ethical analysis” (Cooper, 1998, p. 12). Morals are ideals that help us decipher between right