Being an Ethical Leader
An ethical leader strives to transfer a strong ethical character to their organizations. They can do this by applying the five principles of ethical leadership as outlined by Dr. Peter Northouse. The five principles are respecting others, serving others, showing justice, being honest, and building community.
An Ethical Leader Respects Others.
Leaders can respect others by allowing them to be themselves, as well as respect differences of individual employees and attempt to communicate that they are all valuable to the organization. Listening to employees’ ideas even if they are opposed them is another way of showing respect. As a leader, it is important to encourage this behavior of respect throughout the organization.
An Ethical Leader Serves Others.
Northouse describes serving others in the workplace as offering services such as mentoring, team building, and empowerment behaviors. This is an important aspect of leadership that leaders should put into practice. Leaders should give back and offer guidance to up-and-coming leaders in the organization.
An Ethical Leader Shows Justice.
Ethical leaders are just and fair. They do not play favorites in the organization or allow certain employees to get away with actions which they don’t allow from other employees. They are fair. When leaders show favoritism, it demoralizes employees and distracts from organizational goals.
An Ethical Leader is Honest.
Being honest is just being honest. Leaders should tell people the truth. At times, leaders must hold back certain information. If leaders maintain a good relationship with employees, then employees will realize when leaders do hold back information, it’s for the best, and not because the leader is trying to deceive them.
An Ethical Leader Builds Community.
Building community happens when the leader has convinced employees to pursue the organization’s common goal. In order for employees to trust and follow leaders, they must know, understand, and agree with the common goal. This takes transformational leadership in which the leader explains how working toward a common goal will be beneficial and rewarding for everyone.
Say “No” to Unethical Behavior in Your Organization.
In addition to leaders promoting ethical character, the organization as a whole must do the same. It is important that organizations establish ethical values. Employees need to know what is and is not acceptable in the organization. If leaders fail to do this, they may encourage unethical behavior instead. Dr. Camille Johnson makes the case that unethical behavior can be contagious and that it can harm people. She notes three ways that this can happen. First, she says that unethical behavior might discourage people by making them feel inadequate. Second, unethical behavior might make other people act recklessly within the organization. People might believe that risky behavior is the only way to get ahead. Finally, unethical behavior can fester throughout an organization and lead many others to begin to act unethically.
The Cure to Unethical Behavior
In short, the cure to unethical behavior is ethical behavior. To address ethical problems in the workplace, a framework needs to be created. The framework should include suggestions on how to address ethical issues and should allow issues to be considered in a structured and practical way. The framework allows leaders to fulfill their management responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner. It also emphasizes taking personal and professional responsibility for one’s actions (Hill, Lorenz, Dent, and Lutzkendorf, 2013).
Organizations and leaders should strive to be as ethical, open, and honest as possible.
If this is not done, it can hinder the implementation of change because employees need to know that they can trust their leaders and organizations to do the right things at all times. When leaders are ethical, their employees will tend to be ethical as well. In addition, effective leaders will inspire a change in attitudes and values to help accomplish the corporate vision.
References
Hill, S., Lorenz, D., Dent, P., & Lützkendorf, T. (2013). Professionalism and ethics in a changing economy. Building Research & Information, 41(1), 8-27.
Johnson, C. (2012). Unethical behavior can become contagious. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/its-all-relative/201206/unethical-behavior-can-become-contagious
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice. (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
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