WHAT IS ETHICAL LEADERSHIP?
Defining ethics and leadership is more than just uniting the individual definitions to create “the art of motivating a group of people to deal with what is good and bad, act towards achieving a moral goal with duty and obligation.” Brown, states “the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision-making” (Brown et al., 2005, p. 120).
Ethical leadership requires traits developed through constant practice, exemplification trustworthy, fair, honest behavior, and direct, clear communication of ethical motives in decision making to influence others to do
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Ethical leaders have an obligation to develop their subordinates, challenge them, and provide them with an example of the standard of leadership. Their success is highly related to the pathway their leader builds or cuts off. Peers of leaders deserve to have a “team player” that can support the moral high road, questioning actions lacking the highest ethical elements, and contributes to making decisions for the organization which adhere to unwavering principles. Suppliers and customers both have a need to be able to engage with an organization that has a reputation for impeccable honesty. They are investing in a financial relationship, which puts them at risk. They are unlikely to continue a relationship with an organization where even one leader is willing to deviate from strict ethical behavior. Communities need to house organizations committed to structuring their company with decision makers who can promote philanthropic or economical decisions that infuse the area or become a resource …show more content…
This creates a sense of safety and direction, resulting in feelings of trust and sets the stage for development, both leader responsibilities in the Servant Leadership Theory. Expectations and goals must benefit both the organization and the individuals.
Organizational culture and reputations are simply a result of the actions of the individuals in an organization. Ethical leaders can shape and influence those actions through their unwavering example, open communication, and ability to work through ethical dilemmas.
References
Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97, 117−134.
“ethics." Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com (16 Feb