Human Relations and Development IV

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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

7. Explain the importance of ethical behavior. 7.1 Explain what an employer/employee can learn from ethics training. 7.2 Explain the need for training on ethical behavior.

Reading Assignment Chapter 10: Becoming an Effective Leader Chapter 11: Motivating Others Chapter 15: Enhancing Ethical Behavior

Unit Lesson In this unit lesson, you will see that Chapter 10 discusses individual leadership traits; team leadership skills, attitudes, and behaviors; as well as how to develop your leadership potential. According to DuBrin (2015), “Leadership is the ability to inspire support and confidence among the people who are needed to achieve company goals” (p. 226). A leader is someone who is capable of effectively influencing others within the workplace. Anderson and Bolt (2013) identify types of leaders as autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. A leader must be able to identify with certain traits and to develop this skill consistently over time to become even more effective. Key Leadership Traits to Develop Please review the ten traits that the textbook identifies as key to becoming an effective leader. Identifying with the ten traits provides an opportunity to better understand effective leadership and develop behaviors accordingly. Of course, the development process will depend on each individual’s needs. Defining your developmental needs in light of the traits can vary according to experience and exposure as a leader. As an individual entering into the realm of leadership, one must assess his or her own personal characteristics to properly monitor and assess his or her own behavior. Monitoring and assessing one’s own behavior helps identify opportunities for progress. Team Leader In the leadership process, the leader must be able to influence others in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the organization. According to DuBrin (2015), “The best opportunities for practicing leadership occur as a team leader” (p. 239). As you practice being a leader, you are able to identify with the leader type that best suits your style of leadership. Once you have a handle on leading, identify the means of creating collaborative efforts within a specific team setting. The different types of teams include formal, informal, and virtual, which help in delivering and communicating effectively. The skills learned as a leader must be applied to further develop within the various team types. Refer to the textbook to identify with examples of developing teamwork. Leadership Development According to DuBrin (2015), as you continue to lead and develop your own leadership potential, it is important “to (1) acquire broad experience, (2) model effective leaders, (3) self-develop leadership traits and behaviors,

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

Leadership and Ethical Behavior

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(4) become an integrated human being (a fully functioning person), (5) practice small leadership acts, and (6) help your leader lead” (p. 248). Also, the unit lesson focuses on Chapter 11, which is based on workplace motivation and commitment and the use of positive reinforcement, recognition, and self-motivation. Motivation is identified as “an internal state that leads to effort expended toward objectives” (DuBrin, 2015, p. 255). Within the work environment, motivation should be used for encouragement, growth, and the development to drive efforts toward the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the organization. Positive reinforcement is one example of how to improve engagement and motivate workers. Of this effort, a top-down approach must be present, where you have upper management practicing the same workplace culture as desired by the employees. As members of management practice the desired outcome, they are showing the commitment to overall development and growth within the organization, internally and externally. Recognition can come in many forms such as words of appreciation, rewarded time, monetary gifts, or other desired rewards. You should determine what is considered positive reinforcement for each employee and how he or she chooses to be rewarded as not all rewards are desired by all employees. Please refer to page 256 of the textbook for a self- assessment on motivating others. Motivation Motivation is important to bring about encouragement and positive change within the organization. Many will say, motivation is based upon “What is in it for me?” and “Why help others?” attitudes. It is simpler to paint the bigger picture as to why we promote engagement and interaction, and then we can work together to bring about even more growth and development. Of course, motivation is all based upon need. “Key employee needs that might require satisfaction include achievement, power affiliation, autonomy, esteem, safety and security, and equity” (DuBrin, 2015, p. 271). Positive Reinforcement Certain rules should be followed to effectively apply positive reinforcement. The rules to follow can be located on p. 271 of the textbook. Self-Motivation Self-motivation is needed to accomplish the set goals identified by an individual. Of course, this is not easy for many people. A person must realize and believe that he or she can perform, accomplish, and achieve what is in his or her heart’s desire. In thinking positively and accomplishing goals set, an individual must identify and address certain specifics, which can be located in the textbook readings. Chapter 15 discusses ethical behavior and explains why being ethical can be difficult within the work environment. In addition, the chapter covers making ethical decisions and behaving ethically. According to DuBrin (2015), acting ethically is more about choices, determining “what is good and bad, right and wrong, just and unjust, and what people should do” (p. 355). Business Ethics Why should one be concerned with business ethics? Business ethics brings about desired behaviors and cultural and moral certainty within an organization. An organization can set the tone for the type of culture and moral to be represented on a daily basis. In most organizations, a code of ethics can be found that outlines the specifics as far as what is expected from each employee in the area of behaving ethically. As an organization distributes this document, it is the responsibility of both the employee and employer to abide by the identified codes. The employer should be there to assist when there are any comments or concerns pertaining to any identified standard within the ethics log. Some sample codes of ethics can be found when reviewing the textbook readings. Of course, the identified samples are just a few, which are usually explained in greater detail in the code of ethics and the employee handbook. All parties should abide by the code of ethics, which has great returns (e.g., increased morale, respect, business, profits, and pride in the business performance of all). If unethical behavior is found within an organization, great shame and disruption in the flow of business may follow; therefore, you must specify what is considered unethical behavior. Figure 15-1 on p. 359 of the

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textbook provides examples of frequent ethical dilemmas, which should be avoided. Also, you can refer to the textbook to identify with additional samples of guidelines on how to behave ethically.

References Anderson, L. E., & Bolt, S. B. (2013). Professionalism: Skills for workplace success (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Pearson. DuBrin, A. J. (2015). Human relations: Interpersonal job-oriented skills (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Pearson.

Suggested Reading In order to access the following resources, click the links below: The following articles discuss ethical issues in the work place. You are encouraged to view this information. Bell, R. (2013, December 11). Is blowing the whistle blowing your career? Workforce. Retrieved from

http://www.workforce.com/2013/12/11/is-blowing-the-whistle-blowing-your-career/ Grenny, J. (2014, February 5). Why accountability is key to maintaining an ethical workplace. Chief Learning

Officer. Retrieved from http://www.clomedia.com/2014/02/05/why-accountability-is-key-to- maintaining-an-ethical-workplace/

Review the PowerPoint presentations on Chapter 10, Chapter 11, and Chapter 15 to supplement the textbook reading and lesson content. Chapter 10: Becoming an Effective Leader Click here to access the Chapter 10 PowerPoint presentation. Click here for the PDF version. Chapter 11: Motivating Others Click here to access the Chapter 11 PowerPoint presentation. Click here for the PDF version. Chapter 15: Enhancing Ethical Behavior Click here to access the Chapter 15 PowerPoint presentation. Click here for the PDF version.

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Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. You may complete one or both activities.

1. Read the Interpersonal Relations Case 10.1 or Case 10.2 on pp. 250-251, and answer the case questions for the associated case.

2. Read the Interpersonal Relations Case 11.1 or Case 11.2 on pp. 273-275, and answer the case

questions for the associated case.