Question

Write 150 words on your thoughts on this discussion

According to Ciullla (2004), ethical leadership is to lead an organization or a group in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of others. Ethical leaders help maintain higher work output and better performance by increasing employee satisfaction as they are perceived to treat their peers and subordinates with respect, empathy, equality and fairness. In their survey study, Resick et al. (2006), there are six key traits that characterize ethical leadership. These are character and integrity, ethical awareness, people orientation, motivating, encouraging and empowering, and ethical accountability. Character refers to the pattern of intentions and virtues that give moral foundation to a leader’s behavior. Character demonstrates itself through loyalty, generosity, humility and forgiveness. Integrity, on the other hand, is important to build trust between followers and the leader in order for followers to follow leader’s vision. These two together govern a leader’s beliefs, decisions, and actions (Resick, Hanges, Dickson, & Mitchelson, 2006). Ethical awareness is defined as the capacity and sensitivity towards others when planning or deciding on important issues. It also applies to the consequences of actions and decisions. According to Trevino et al. (2003), ethical awareness is demonstrated by having a concern for collective good of the group, impact of decisions on the group both short and long term, perspectives of stakeholders, and considering the consequences of actions. Community orientation of an ethical leader refers to serving the greater good (Treviño, Brown, & Pincus-Hartman, 2003). Ethical leaders motivate and inspire the followers by putting the greater good as a priority. Ethical leaders show intellectual and emotional commitment towards their followers to motivate them. Ethical leaders are also encouraging and empowering to help their followers to gain self-confidence, personal competence, and self-efficacy. By doing that, they make sure their followers know their priority is the greater good of the group, which further motivates the followers. While being empowering and encouraging, ethical leaders should make sure that they are treating their followers equitably and fairly. The final characteristic of an ethical leader is accountability. Ethical accountability refers to setting expectations and standards of ethical conduct for followers (Treviño, Brown, & Pincus-Hartman, 2003). Ethical leaders establish and enforce these standards by using rewards and punishment systems when there is an issue of ethical conduct arises among subordinates.

Answer 1

Absolutely. Ethical leadership is pertinent in every aspect of life both professionally and personally. The six key traits that characterize ethical leadership provide us with great insight about ethical leadership. Each trait provides us with the framework of ethical leadership. It is certainly true that character of a person forms the basis of his/her decisions and actions. In management, it is highly pertinent that ethical leaders have good values and beliefs in order to take better decisions. Ethical awareness does have a great impact on the people. Since it refers to greater good for the people, it is an important trait sought by managers. Ethical accountability which is a key trait is imperative in the corporate world as it helps the ethical leaders to set standards and ensure that all the employees abide to these standards. Thus, ethical leadership plays a key role in the success of an organization in this strategic world.