The modern workforce is constantly evolving, and it is becoming increasingly multinational. Each culture represented in the workplace brings its own set of values, beliefs, and practices to the work environment. While this diversity can be used as a source of competitive advantage, it can also present a challenge when it comes to organizational leadership. In an effort to identify what leadership means around the world, Resick, Martin, Keating, Dickson, Kwan & Peng (2011) conducted a qualitative study of managers across six societies: The People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, The Republic of China (Taiwan), The United States, Ireland, and Germany. These societies were selected for the study due to the significant role that each county …show more content…
Specifically, six themes regarding ethical leadership emerged from the study. Survey respondents from all societies prioritized these six traits as necessary for ethical leadership. First, ethical leaders are accountable. They abide by rules and regulations and take personal responsibility while holding others accountable. Second, ethical leaders have consideration and respect for others. They are approachable, treat others with respect, and demonstrate empathy. Third, ethical leaders are fair. They make objective decisions and do not show favoritism. Fourth, ethical leaders have a strong character. They are sincere and they lead by example, demonstrating integrity and courage. Fifth, ethical leaders have a collective orientation. They promote teamwork and collaboration while protecting the interests of the company. Finally, ethical leaders are open and flexible. They share information, communicate effectively, and are open to diversity (Resick et al, 2011). Though cultural dimensions affect leadership practices and expectations, these attributes and behaviors emerged consistently as the requisite traits for ethical
The modern world has experienced tremendous changes, which have contributed to changes in people living in the global world. These changes have mainly been brought by globalization, which is a major phenomenon in the 21st Century. Leaders across various professions, businesses, and governments need to cope with globalization since it forces them to cross borders more often and communicate or conduct business with people from other cultures. This process involves developing necessary skills for working effectively in the modern complex world. Actually, the ability of these leaders to work effectively not only requires the development of essential skills but the application of leadership principles in the global work environment. In essence, leaders must develop their ability to apply leadership principles across culturally diverse workforce in today’s global work environment.
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.
Caren, Siehl. Leading across cultures: China, 2004. Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management, 2004. (accessed January 14, 2014) (Caren, 2004)
Hollander (1985) defined leadership as the process of influence between a leader and followers to attain group, organizational, or societal groups. Some leaders are innate, however now a days most of the leaders develop himself/herself by education. Education system takes a great place to develop leadership quality in context of globalization. “Students are now consumers who define quality education from a global perspective” (Drucker, 1995). Current education system has been changed in Asia basically in Thailand to create more efficient and effective leaders. There are lots of multinational and international organizations that are operating their businesses all over the world. Because of globalization cross-cultural workplaces has become a challenge for the organization. The culture of multinational or international organization has shared by the members of the organization. The individual level, the intra-organizational level and the inter-organizational levels are the three levels of contrast for cross-cultural organization. (Rhein, 2013)
Looking at the first word in ethical leadership we see, as stated in the Webster-Merriam dictionary, ethical is defined as “following accepted rules of behavior: morally right and good”. When we think of someone who is ethical we, first, think of someone who ‘follows the rules’. By following the rules I mean someone who in the eyes of the majority is morally sound. Having strong morals is what I believe the key is to an ethical person. On the other side of the definition of ethical is defining it as having inside oneself the desire to do what’s right over what is wrong. When we speak about someone who is ethical this desire is one that is not dependent on external forces i.e. no one can sway an ethical person’s mindset.
The term “ethical business” is seen, by many people, as an oxymoron. This is because a business’s main objective is to make as much money as possible. Making the most money possible, however, can often lead to unethical actions. Companies like Enron, WorldCom, and Satyam have been the posterchildren for how corporations’ greed lead to unethical practices. In recent times however, companies have been accused of being unethical based on, not how they manage their finances, but on how they treat the society that they operate in. People have started to realize that the damage companies have been doing to the world around them is more impactful and far worse than any financial fraud that these companies might be engaging in. Events like the BP oil
Many ethical dilemmas are philosophical in nature, an ethical issue can be described as a problem with no clear resolution. In order to solve the issue or dilemma a consensus between the parties involved must be reached. There are several reasons to come to an agreement over an ethical dilemma, it is the basis for all aspects of personal and professional dealings. Each one of us is part of a civilized society and as such it is our responsibility to be rational, honest and loyal in our dealings with others. (Alakavuklar, 2012) states that individuals make decisions for different situations in business life involving various ethical dilemmas. Each time either consciously or unconsciously individuals may follow some ethical approaches
Currently, leadership is generally understood as a person with insight and wisdom of guidance, which expected to be efficient in management responsibilities like planning organizing, and monitoring performance (Kandola, 2004, p. 144). In addition, making ethical decision is important to individuals who value and take seriously institutional...
With so many constant changes today with different generations, legal and political circumstances and ever-changing and improving technology sources, organizations have new and recurring issues arising every single day. The reasons for these issues vary widely and develop because of so many different situations. The outcome of the situation depends on many factors including the issue at hand, the management style and the ethics of the organization to simply name a few. These outcomes can certainly make or break an organization if not handled appropriately. The issue I have found to be the most significant is leadership. Within leadership, there is the opportunity for many issues in itself.
There's no one to blame but there are a million or so of us to take responsibility, to fix it from within, and that is the hallmark of a nation and a people. That's leadership, management, tradition and spirituality. Granted, the solutions don't come easy. I know that from my personal experience, just as we know that it's the willingness to struggle towards the ideal that elevates us as individuals, communities and societies. Therefore, leadership plays a very important role in our lives. The ethics of leadership rests upon three pillars: (1) the moral character of the leader; (2) the ethical legitimacy of the values embedded in the leaders vision, articulation, and program which followers either embrace or reject; and (3) the morality of the processes of social ethical choice and action that leaders and followers engage in and collectively pursue. Such ethical characteristics of leadership have been widely acknowledged (Wren, 1998). Transformational leaders set examples to be emulated by their followers. And as suggested by Stevens et al., (1998) and demonstrated by Conger & Kanungo (1998) when leaders are more morally mature, those they lead display higher moral reasoning. But not all leadership fits the same pattern and ethical analysis shifts with varying leadership modalities. In the societies of the western world the subject of responsibility is increasing in importance. (Moran, 1996) Issues of responsibility arise in small social units as well as in global societal structures. Responsibility establishes a connection between person and society. Mothers and fathers who care for their children or a person who warns his colleague about taking up business with a questionable partner are examples of responsibility within small so...
...Harris, Sarah V. Moran (2011). Managing Cultural Differences, Leadership Skills and Strategies for Working in a Global World. 8th ed. UK: Elsevier Inc.. 10-25.
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. .
Leadership is an ever-changing concept, leadership varies greatly from culture to culture. From autocratic management to egalitarian practice, from the traditional Asian leadership style to the Scandinavian leadership this essay explores the overriding philosophies that dictate leadership styles across the globe.
What do Kenneth Lay, Bernard Ebbers, Conrad Black, Dennis Kozlowski, and Scott Thompson have in common? Yes, they were all in high ranking leadership positions, worked for very large companies, and were men. Unfortunately for the companies they worked for, they also lacked any sense of ethical leadership. Ethics are very important in the business world, and managers need to do all they can to hire and retain ethical people.
In today’s globalized world, we are connected with each other than ever before, whether it be through social media, phones, or globalized businesses. Therefore in this globalized world, it has also become of vital importance for leaders to know the contrasts among cultures, to avoid future and current business blunders. Therefore, this paper will discuss the Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions and their relationship to leadership and the two dimensions that make the most effective leader.