Ethical Leadership
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LeadershipEthics.pptxLeadership Ethics
Chapter 13
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Overview
Leadership Ethics Perspective
Practical Ethical Theory
Ethical Theories
Principles of Ethical Leadership
Diverse Ethical Perspectives
How Does the Leadership Ethical Perspective Work?
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Leadership Ethics Description
Ethics
Is a derivative of the Greek word ethos, meaning customs, conduct, or character
Is concerned with the kinds of values and morals an individual or society ascribes as desirable or appropriate
Focuses on the virtuousness of individuals and their motives
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Development of ethocal theory goes back to Plato and Aristotle.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Add table
Table 13.1: Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
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Ethical Theories
Two Broad Domains: Theories about leaders’ conduct and about leaders’ character
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Ethical Theories
Conduct
Ethical egoism (create greatest good for the leader)
Closely related to transactional leadership theories
Utilitarianism (create greatest good for greatest number)
Altruism (show concern for best interests of others)
Authentic transformational leadership is based on altruistic principles
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Teleological Theories: focus on consequences of actions and results
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Ethical Theories
Conduct
Deontological Theories
Duty driven, for example, relates not only to consequences but also to whether action itself is good
Focus on the actions of the leader and his/her moral obligation and responsibilities to do the right thing
Example: telling the truth, keeping promises, being fair
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Ethical Theories
Character
Virtue-based Theories: About leader’s character
Focus on who people are as people
Rather than tell people what to do, tell people what to be
Help people become more virtuous through training and development
Virtues are present within person’s disposition; practice makes good values habitual
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Centrality of Ethics to Leadership
Influence dimension of leadership requires the leader to have an impact on the lives of followers
Power and control differences create enormous ethical responsibility for leaders
Respect for persons--sensitive to followers’ own interests and needs
Leaders help to establish and reinforce organizational values--an ethical climate
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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The Dark Side of Leadership
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Ethical Leaders Respect Others
Ethics--is central to leadership because of
The process of influence
The need to engage followers to accomplish mutual goals
The impact leaders have on establishing the organization’s values
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Principles of Ethical Leadership
Respect Others
Serve Others
Shows Justice
Manifests Honesty
Builds Community
Strengths
Provides a body of timely research on ethical issues
Provides direction on how to think about ethical leadership and how to practice it
Suggests that leadership is not an amoral phenomenon and that ethics should be considered as integral to the broader domain of leadership
Highlights principles and virtues that are important in ethical leadership development
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Criticisms
Lacks a strong body of traditional research findings to substantiate the theoretical foundations. Conceptual confusion regarding the concept; hard to measure (Exception is Yukl et al., 2013)
Relies heavily on writings of just a few individuals that are primarily descriptive and anecdotal in nature and are strongly influenced by personal opinion and a particular worldview.
Most research based on Western world and Anglo-American countries
Generational differences in ethical perspectives
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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Application
Can be applied to individuals at all levels of organization and in all walks of life.
Because leadership has a moral dimension, being a leader demands awareness on our part of the way our ethics define our leadership.
Managers and leaders can use information on ethics to understand themselves and strengthen their own leadership.
Leaders can use ethical principles as benchmarks for their own behavior.
Leaders can learn that leader-follower relationship is central to ethical leadership.
Northouse, Leadership 8e. © SAGE Publications, 2019.
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