ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN AN ORGANIZATION

Why is ethical leadership in an organization important?



Why is ethical leadership in an organization important?

Abstract

There has been much discussion regarding the apparent lack of ethics in leaders of public and private organizations, and elected officials. This commentary proposes a foundation that can be used to establish a standard for ethical leadership. The commentary is grounded in classical ethical theories that can be applied to today's leaders. The author draws the conclusion that: “Ethical leaders will not compromise the good of the whole for the privilege of a select few. If leaders keep this in the forefront of their leadership and decision, it is likely we will see a raise in ethical leadership. It will not be necessary to define ethical leadership in words. Instead it will be demonstrated by our leaders.”

Introduction and Ethical Foundations

The study of ethics and leadership has consumed scholars for centuries. Denise, Peterfreund and White (1999) include writings from such ethical scholars as Immual Kant (Categorical Imperative), Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract Ethics), John Dewey (Scientific Methods in Ethics), and John Rawls (Ethics and Social Justice). These scholars debated and discussed moral character and ethical behavior; specifically, what constitutes behavior that is ethical and results in decisions that are made for the good of all. A brief review of their ideas is relevant here. Thomas Hobbs stated that if people were left to their own devices there would be anarchy. Hobbs contended that people by nature are entirely selfish and devoid of any genuine feelings of sympathy, benevolence, and sociability. Each person is preoccupied with personal gratification. Consequently, people needed a “social contract” in order to avoid conflict. Hobbs' social contract was the agreement between people to maintain some ethical behavior in society. People would accept this social contract and consequently would agree to not aggress against each other. For Hobbs, the basic concepts of morality, right and wrong, justice and injustice arise with the establishment of a civil society, the “social contract.”

Immual Kant's categorical imperative required people to act toward all mankind as if they are an end and not just a means. Kant contended that people need to see humanity never as a means only. This is the foundation of his “categorical imperative.” Kant's premise of his categorical imperative is that humans must seek an end that is void of any desires. He did not see any rational being as existing to be arbitrarily used by this will or that will. According to Kant, this is social justice and constitutes ethical behavior. People and good will, according to Kant, represent the efforts of people to do what they ought to do, rather than to act from inclination of self-interest. According to Kant, it is not a moral law if it is not applied to all without contradictions.

John Dewey built his theory of ethics on the principles of pragmatism. He contended that human beings are problem solvers, constantly making adjustments to the changing conditions that confront ...