WRTG/BGMT Classmate responses ***Professor Anthony ONLY***
Bigricker12
bgmt_disc_response_week_5.docx(wendel)
#1
A CEO can have personal values that conflict with the values promoted by the organization and still be an effective leader for the organization. I believe one of the character traits of good leadership is The ability to put aside your ego and personal interests for the sake of the cause you support, the organization you lead, the needs of the people you serve, and/or the greater good of the community or the world (Ethical Leadership 2). One of the true tests of ethical leadership is making the though choice that’s best for the organization even when it’s not in the leader’s self-interest to do so. Being open and honest are among the top characteristics of a good ethical leader as well as being accountable and holding others accountable.
(Christina)
#2
As with any high-profile position that is held, certain standards and expectations are held in a
higher regard than with people who are not in the public spotlight. A persons life can be
analyzed by what they have done in the past to the present tense and not everyone will agree
with that. In the case of the Eich, he supported and anti-gay rally before he became the CEO of
a company that valued equality and diversity. It does reflect badly when the leader of a
company does not meet or respect the values of the company that they're leading. If the CEO
does not embody and live up to the ethos of the company that they're leading, it could very well
become controversial for the company to continue to keep that CEO in leadership. The CEO is
the figurehead of a company so if the CEO has personal views that are not in line to a business'
ethos, then shareholders and employees could be a little upset.
Week number five discussion question asks "can a CEO have personal values that conflict with
the values promoted by an organization and still be an effective ethical of the organization"?
Usually the answer to question such as those is "no". In a nutshell, the CEO is the figurehead
and representation of what the company stands for, currently is, and would like to become. If a
CEO has conflicting interests that are not in line with the company itself, usually it upsets the
long-term customers or supporters. I personally think that is because people feel that their
values are being disrespected if their favorite company is headed by someone who has
outlandish points of views or support controversial movements; some people feel personally
betrayed. This is the same reason that politicians and figure heads of state have an incredible
tough time fixing their reputations and maintaining public support after situations like cheating
on their spouse is or supporting anti-diversity movements. There isn't a skilled enough public
relations expert in the business that can remove the feeling of betrayal from their supporters
once there is a scandal. Not that Michael Jackson is a politician or figurehead or CEO, but his
example speaks volumes about the subject. Michael Jackson was a beloved artist renowned all
around the world for his talent and voice. He worked very hard for his music/ acting career, was
an advocate for the environment, for racial change regarding fairness in America, and the
support of all children worldwide. However, all that change once scandal broke out about
allegations of him making sexual contact with children. When that was brought to public light,
true or not, he never quite regained the support and admiration of the general public again. Sure
he had plenty of supporters and fans that back to him regardless of whether they felt the stories
were true or not, but the fact remains the damage was done and his career and fame was never
the same again. In the eyes of many people, Michael Jackson cease to represent the values of
the general public, the same goes for any figurehead. Eich and Firefox/ Modzilla had views that
mixed together like oil and water. Usually those kinds of conflicts results in the resignation of the
results in the resignation of the CEO.
