1. Leadership Ethics Leadership Theory and Practice, 3/e
Peter G. Northouse, Ph.D.

2. Overview Leadership Ethics Perspective Ethical Theories
Principles of Ethical Leadership
Diverse Ethical Perspectives
How Does the Leadership Ethical Perspective Work?

3. Leadership Ethics Description
Definition & Theory
Ethics & Leadership
Ethics
Is a derivative of the Greek word ethos, meaning customs, conduct, or character
Is concerned with the kinds of values and morals an individual or society ascribes as desirable or appropriate
Focuses on the virtuousness of individuals and their motives
Ethical Theory
Provides a system of rules or principles as a guide in making decisions about what is right/wrong and good/bad in a specific situation
What leaders do and who leaders are is determined by the nature of the leaders’ behavior and their virtuousness.
What choices leaders make and how they respond in a particular circumstance are informed and directed by their ethics.

4. Ethical Theories CHARACTER Moral Values DOMAINS CONDUCT Consequences
Teleological
Theories
Ethical Egoism
Utilitarianism
Altruism
Duty
Deontological
Moral Values
Virtue -
Based

5. Ethical Theories Conduct Domain Character Domain Deontological
Focus on the actions of the leader and his/her moral obligations and responsibilities to do the right thing
Teleological
Theories
Attempt to answer questions about right and wrong by focusing on whether an individual’s conduct will produce desirable consequences
Ethical egoism - An individual should act so as to create the greatest good for herself/himself
Utilitarianism - An individual should behave so as to create the greatest good for the greatest number
Altruism - An individual should act in the interest of others even when it runs contrary to his/her own interests
Virtue-Based
Theories
Character Domain
Approach ethics from the viewpoint of a leader’s character; virtues are rooted in the heart and disposition of the individual

6. Concern for the Interests
Grid of Ethical Theories Based on Self-Interest vs. Interest for Others
Concern
for
Self-Interest
Dogmatic
Authoritarian
Low
Medium
High
Concern for the Interests
of Others
Ethical Egotism
Utilitarianism
Altruism

7. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Respects
Others
Builds
Community
Serves
Others
Ethical
Leadership
Ethics
is central to
leadership
because of :
The process of influence
The need to engage
followers to achieve
mutual goals
The impact of leaders on
values of the
organization
Manifests
Honesty
Shows
Justice

8. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Treat others as ends in themselves and never as a means to ends
Treat other people’s values and decisions with respect
Allow others to be themselves with creative wants and desires
Approach others with a sense of unconditional worth and value individual differences
Leader behaviors
Listens closely to subordinates
Is empathic
Is tolerant of opposing viewpoints
Respects
Others

9. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Follower-centered - Based on the altruistic principle of placing followers foremost in the leader’s plans
Beneficence - Leaders have a duty to help others pursue their own legitimate interests and goals
Leaders are stewards of the organization’s vision; in serving others they: clarify, nurture, and integrate the vision with, not for, organization members
Leaders have an ethical responsibility to make decisions that are beneficial to their followers’ welfare
Leader behaviors
Mentoring behaviors
Empowerment behaviors
Team building behaviors
citizenship behaviors
Serves
Others

10. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Ethical leaders are concerned with issues of fairness; they place issues of fairness at the center of their decision making
They adhere to principles of distributive justice
Leader behaviors
All subordinates are treated in an equal manner
In special treatment/special consideration situations, grounds for differential treatment are clear, reasonable, and based on sound moral values
Shows
Justice

11. Principles of Distributive Justice
These principles are applied in different situations
To each person
An equal share
According to individual need
According to that person’s rights
According to individual effort
According to societal contribution
According to merit

12. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Honest leaders are authentic but also sensitive to the feelings and attitudes of others
They are not deceptive
They tell the truth with a balance of openness and candor while monitoring what is appropriate to disclose in a particular situation
Leader behaviors
Don’t promise what you can’t deliver
Don’t suppress obligations
Don’t evade accountability
Don’t accept “survival of the fittest” pressures
Acknowledge and reward honest behavior in the organization
Manifests
Honesty

13. Principles of Ethical Leadership
Concern for the common good means leaders cannot impose their will on others; they search for goals that are compatible with everyone.
Concern for others - Is the distinctive feature that delineates authentic transformational leaders from pseudo-transformational leaders
Transformational leaders and followers reach out beyond their own mutually defined goals to the wider community
Leader behaviors
Takes into account the purposes of everyone in the group
Is attentive to interests of the community and the culture
Does not force others or ignore the intentions of others
Builds
Community

14. Diverse Perspectives of Leadership
Heifetz’s Perspective
Values
Values of workers
Values of organization
Values of community
Leaders help
followers confront
conflict & effect
change
Authority
Get people focused on issues
Act as a reality test regarding information
Manage and frame issues
Orchestrate conflicting perspectives
Facilitate the decision-making process
Environment
Trust
Nurturance
Empathy

15. Diverse Perspectives of Leadership
Burn’s Perspective
Values
Liberty
Justice
Equality
Leaders help
followers in their personal
struggles concerning
conflicting values
Connection
Relationship between
leader & follower
- Raises level of morality
of both
Leader’s Role
Assist followers in assessing
their values & needs
Help followers to rise to a
higher level of functioning

16. Diverse Perspectives of Leadership
Greenleaf’s Perspective
Values
Involvement
Respect
Trust
Individual strength
Listening
Empathy
Unconditional acceptance
Leaders focus
on needs of
followers
Social Responsibility
Uses less institutional power
Uses less control
Shifts authority to followers
Follower Needs
Become more knowledgeable
More autonomous
Become more like servants

17. How Does the Ethical Leadership Perspective Work?
Strengths
Criticisms
Application

18. Strengths Provides a body of timely research on ethical issues
Provides direction on how to think about ethical leadership and how to practice it
Suggests that leadership is not an amoral phenomenon and that ethics should be considered as integral to the broader domain of leadership
Highlights principles and virtues that are important in ethical leadership development

19. Criticisms
Lacks a strong body of traditional research findings to substantiate the theoretical foundations
Relies heavily on writings of just a few individuals that are primarily descriptive and anecdotal in nature, and are strongly influenced by personal opinion and a particular worldview

20. Application
Can be applied to individuals at all levels of the organization and in all walks of life
Because leadership has a moral dimension, being a leader demands awareness on our part of the way our ethics defines our leadership
Managers and leaders can use the information on ethics to understand themselves and strengthen their own leadership
Leaders can use the ethical principles as benchmarks for their own behavior
Leaders can learn that the leader-follower relationship is central to ethical leadership