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.