Right vs. Right – The Complexity of Leading Ethically
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Transcript Right vs. Right – The Complexity of Leading Ethically
Right vs. Right – The
Complexity of Leading Ethically
KRISTINA RICKETTS, PH.D.
JULY 29, 2009
Today’s Objectives
Define the basics of ethics
Introduce Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
Outline ethical leadership behaviors
Determine why ethical decision-making can be
difficult
Establish what affect groups/organizations have on
leaders
Discuss two types of ethical leadership
What do you think?
Is right and wrong always clear cut and easy to
recognize?
Do you think we have a problem with ethical
leadership in today’s society? Why or why not?
Think of a personal example where you were faced
with an ethical decision – what did you do?
What you may perceive as a simple lie…that doesn’t
hurt anybody and protects the company, sooner or
later will come back to bite you… If you can’t be open
and honest at all times, you’re sending a signal to the
organization that you will let them get away with
lying occasionally. And that includes lying to you.
- D. Clare, CEO, Johnson & Johnson
Important Definitions
Morals: an individual’s determination of right
and wrong
Ethics: a set of moral principles; the study of
moral obligations
Moral leadership: to display a commitment to
right action while influencing others
Values: something (as a principle or quality)
intrinsically valuable
Influence individual morals, ethics
The Basics of Ethics
Two types of ethics
Ethics of justice – based on principles of justice, fairness,
equality, and authority
Based on moral principles, laws that should be applied equally
Style can be cold, inflexible, uncaring
Ethics of care – based on the principle to reduce harm or
suffering to others
Based on equity, appropriateness, and fitting the situation
Special circumstances considered
Responsive to suffering and harm – but may seem
arbitrary/subjective
Moral Development
Three stages (Kohlberg’s theory)
Preconvential – ages 4 to 10
Something is good because of adult influence, or it satisfies a need
we have
Conventional morality – begin to consider what is good for
others/or the whole
Postconventional (develops as an adult) – develop
appreciation for moral principles, individual ethical thinking
Includes principles of justice, equality of human rights, respect for
dignity of human beings as individuals
Some individuals never get to this stage
Moral Conduct
Moral leadership involves…
Ethical conduct of leaders AND
Capacity to inspire such conduct in followers
Moral character
Fixed character traits – partially responsible for ethical
behavior
Upbringing, background
Moral conduct is highly situational
Heavily influenced by peer pressures/reward structures
Ethical Leadership Behavior
Being honest & trustworthy – deal with integrity
Leaders today are often seen as untrustworthy
Integrity: working under a loyalty to rational principals
Pay attention to all stakeholders
Treat everyone involved fairly
Authentic leadership – perceiving leadership role to
include having an ethical responsibility
Ethical Leadership Behavior
Build community
Helping people to achieve a common goal
When people work together towards a common goal,
building community
Respect the individual
Keep promises, telling the truth, treating others fairly –
shows respect
Accomplish silent victories
Working “quietly” on an ethical agenda
Ethical Decision Making
Four components of ethical decision making:
Moral awareness: recognition that a
situation raises ethical issues
Moral reasoning: determining what
course of action is ethically sound
Moral intent: identifying which values
should take priority in the decision
Moral behaviors: acting on ethical
decisions
Guidelines for Ethical Decision-making
Is it right?
Is it fair?
Who gets hurt?
Would you be comfortable if the details of your
decision or actions were made public in the
media or through email?
What would you tell your child, sibling, or
young relative to do?
How does it smell?
Contributing Factors to Ethical Issues
Individual leaders differ
Level of greed and gluttony
Level of moral development
Preconventional, conventional, postconventional
Sense of entitlement
Specific situation – organizational culture
Person’s character
Organizational Influence on Ethics
Factors contributing to unethical climates
Elevation of personal interests over moral values
Enron – hypercompetitive, profit-at-any-cost environment
“Rank and yank” evaluation system – financial performance key
indicator
Mutual peer rewards
Key point – Many leaders failed to exercise appropriate moral
oversight and create a climate that would encourage it
Ethical indifference
Moral leadership isn’t made a priority
Difficulty of decision-making in organizations
“Right vs Right” decisions
Values-based Leadership
Values-based leadership: understanding the
different and conflicting needs of followers, and
energizing followers to pursue a goal than they
had never thought possible
Effectiveness – measuring the achievement of the
objectives
Morality – measuring how change affects concerned
parties, and
Time – measuring the desirability of any goal over the
long term
Social Change Model of Leadership
Basic premises:
Values demand a conscious focus
Leadership out to bring about desirable social change
Leadership is a process
Anyone is a potential leader
Service is a powerful vehicle for leadership development
Seven core values:
Personal/individual values
Consciousness of self, congruence, commitment
Group values
Collaboration, common
purpose, controversy with civility
Societal/community value
Citizenship
Review
Define the basics of ethics
Introduce Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
Outline ethical leadership behaviors
Determine why ethical decision-making can be
difficult
Establish what affect groups/organizations have on
leaders
Discuss two types of ethical leadership
Questions?