The foundations of morality and ethics have been philosophically studied well over the past millennium. Ethics and morals pertain to what is “right” and “wrong” behavior. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they have different foundations by which they are developed. Ethics is a measure of the standards provided by external sources such as workplace codes of conduct, religious principles, or societal standards of behavior. Morals are the principles that individuals develop regarding what is right and wrong behavior. In a sense, it can be said that morals are a value system and a knowledge of what is right, whereas ethics is what is right and wrong. An important distinction between morals and ethics is that ethics goes beyond …show more content…
In leadership, ethics deals with the process of influencing others through the principles, values, and beliefs that we embrace as being right. In her book The Ethics of Leadership, Joanne Ciulla discusses the ethical challenges that are distinctive to leaders and leadership. Ciulla (2003) states that “By understanding ethics we gain a better understanding of the leader/follower relationship. The central issues in ethics are also the central issues of leadership. They include the problems of authenticity, self-interest, and self-discipline, and moral obligations of justice, duty, and the greatest good. In leadership we see morality …show more content…
It is not uncommon that leaders encounter situations where they are faced with making choices that have the potential to impact others for better or worse. It is important that good leaders choose a direction that will have the least negative impact while having a positive outcome if possible. If the actions cannot be considered ethical, a different approach or action should be considered. The choices made in problematic situations will ultimately identify the true character of the leader. It is ideal that a good leader do what is right in all situations as their actions are constantly observed by others and subjected to scrutinization. Leaders who display ethical qualities will be most effective at gaining or maintaining a leader and follower relationship. Additionally, if a leader models ethical decisions and behaviors, followers can be expected to take after them. Ethical behaviors in leaders are found to be reflected by a reduction of unethical behaviors in followers ( Mayer et al., 2009; Mayer et al., 2012). Ethical leaders create environments and structures that influence followers to behave more ethically (Schaubroeck et al.,
To apply this system of moral values effectively, one must understand the structural levels at which ethical dilemmas occur, who is involved in the dilemmas, and how a particular decision will affect them. In addition, one must consider how to formulate possible courses of action. Failing in any of these three areas may lead to an ineffective decision, resulting in more pain than cure.” Ken Blanchard states, “Many leaders don’t operate ethically because they don’t understand leadership; these executives may have MBA’s from Ivey League schools or have attended leadership training; they may routinely read the best-selling management books, however, they don’t understand what it means to be a leader.” They don’t model a way of ethical behaviors.
Ethics are the principles that shape individual lives in modern society. It is a subjective idea that seems to have a standard in society. Ethics and morals are the major factors that guide individuals to make right and wrong choices. Something that is morally right to one person might be the very opposite of what another person would view as right. There are many factors that can trigger a change in an individual’s view of morality.
My code of ethics helps determine what kind of decision I make as a leader. When making a decision not only the code of ethics affect what kind of decisions the leader will makes, but also the impact on power holders. The definition of power is the ability of one person to influence others or exercise control over them. (Nahavandi, 2015) There are two different ways how power impacts a leader, a positive impact and negative impact. Positive impact focuses on action-oriented where a leader is more sensitive and more generous. Negative impact is a leader who cannot empathize where a leader is addicted to power and take all the credits. When a leader is impacted positively with power, the leader is going to be successful making ethical decisions. For example, the leader will be able to obtain thoughtful information from his/her peers and make a valid and reasonable decision while account his/her subordinates. When a leader is impacted by negatively with power, the leader will abuse his/her power and make poor and unethical decisions. As a leader, leaders should avoid abusing their powers and maintain a positive impact on power
Joseph, James A. "Leadership And The Changing Role Of Ethics In Public Life." Lecture. Models of Ethical Leadership for a Changing World. University of Texas. Jan. 2001. Web.
Thus make being an ethical leader slightly harder than a normal ethical person. So, we must take a deep interest in this topic. Having to know the traits that describe ethical or unethical leadership will make us more careful in acting as a leader, or choosing someone as a leader. Of course we don’t want an unethical leadership or being an unethical leadership. Because the effects or consequences is not only on us, but to others, especially those who work under the
To be ethical means relating subjects to moral principles. Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, (codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions). Morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong. Ethical dilemmas or issues, also known as a moral dilemmas, are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion but the decision has to be made, leaving one party either dissatisfied or happy with the outcome.
Although ethics and morals are distinct knowledge from each other, people use the terms as if they are interchangeably because these words have shared a similar belief about what right and wrong. However, ethics define as a set of rules which come from an external sources like social system that tell people what right and wrong while morality refer to an individual’s internal principals that decide what good and bad. Conflicting in between ethics and morality hurt people in their career and every day decision making in every workplace.
My personal code of ethics is constructed by a set of ideas and standards that are guided through the use of knowledge and personal beliefs. Each individual is raised with unique values and experiences that internalize personal identity. Our identity is guided and shaped through the interactions from parents, community, teachers, and peers. Leadership identity is no different. Educational leaders should be given the opportunity to take the time to develop their own personal codes of ethics based on life stories and critical incidents. (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2011, p. 23) Understanding our values and beliefs are the basis for successful leadership. As Shapiro and Stefkovich (2011) state, “a professional ethical code cannot be established without
[1] Ethics is defined as “the code of moral principles and values that governs the behaviour of a person or a group with respect to what is right or wrong” (Samson and Daft, 2005, p.158)
Organizations are constantly tested with various moral and ethical problems and dilemmas. Organizational leaders are the key to establishing an ethical climate in the workplace. By understanding and improving their own moral reasoning, and the biases that affect moral judgment, they enable themselves to make better decisions. This has a catalytic effect that positively increases organizational climate, ultimately improving all organizational behavior.
Ethical leadership organizational ethics and socially responsibility are inseparable (Johnson). Leadership is not a inherited gift or family heritage; it is not a degree from an ivy league graduate school. Becoming a leader is an intentional process of growth that must be lived out experientially (Mullane). Ethical leaders demonstrate three distinctive characteristics, knowledge, action and character. Leaders have to have the ability to say “yes” or even “no” to a never ending series of challenges. A leader needs to be able to define their values, character and leadership style. When accepting the role of leadership you become encumbered by ethical issues and concerns. .
“Ethical leaders within an organization cannot make every ethical decision by themselves” (Ferrell, 2015). In centralized management, the top people make all of the decisions. There are still however many opportunities for lower level employees to make unethical decisions. Management can promote ethical behavior at every level by being a good example and following its own code of conduct. The ethical environment should also be closely monitored. When someone makes a really great ethical decision, that person should be recognized. By rewarding good behavior, others will naturally want to receive these rewards as
I think it is important to define morality and ethics, as I understand them. Morals are a set of rules passed to us though our family, social, and religious experiences that serve to govern our independent actions. Our moral beliefs rest only on our sense of right and wrong. It is important to note that morals only apply to individual action and consequence. Ethics, however, apply to the actions of two or more people. Ethics are meaningless unless applied in a social context. Ethics serve to define the acceptable actions of the individual within the social structure. Ethics are established through the consensus of many people and with the guidance of human experience. With morality, ones behavior is held to an ideal code of conduct. Ethics, however, deals with an imperfect, but attainable set of practices. It is left to the individual to take a decision that is moral, regardless of its ethical standing.
“Ethics can be defined as moral principles that govern or influence a person’s behaviour and values are the context in which an organisation or society’s norms are established and justified” (buzz text book).Ethics are the guidelines helping us tell the difference between the is wrong and right. Most people are encouraged by ethics to normally do the right things. Ethics and values are based on individual beliefs and standards in society that one if from, they vary from person to person. Leadership is the authority and capability for one to lead people in an organization in order to achieve goals. They are the main role players in all the organizations and are crucial to their success. Ethics in a business means taking the precise way’
Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is acceptable for both individuals and society. It is a philosophy that covers a whole range of things that have an importance in everyday situations. Ethics are vital in everyones lives, it includes human values, and how to have a good life, our rights and responsibilities, moral decisions what is right and wrong, good and bad. Moral principles affect how people make decisions and lead their lives (BBC, 2013). There are many different beliefs about were ethics come from. These consist of; God and Religion, human conscience, the example of good human beings and a huge desire for the best for people in each unique situation, and political power (BBC, 2013).