LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS

-BY KUNAL YADAV

https://wordpress.com/post/kunals543765541.wordpress.com/6
Leadership and Ethics
In an organization, it is important to understand what is good or bad. Ethics
are the required or desired values and principles an individual should have as
a leader in the society. It can be explained in two ways: how an individual
behaves and acts and his character and personality within the organization.
To achieve a common result a leader influences his/her coworkers and people
working under. Hence to develop the organizational values a leader should be
honest, respectful, caring and ready to serve others. Let us try to understand
this using an example.

A manager asks an intern to work on a project but already states the

outcomes of the task – Leading.

Instead of giving the outcomes in advance, the manager analyzes the

performance of the intern to get the desired outcome and help on each and
every step – Supportive.

The Manager gives the deadline to the intern and keeps an eye on the
process of the project and gives feedback at the end of the outcome –
Interactive.

All the above scenarios are how a leader ethically works around an
organization in different situations.

Ethical approaches in Leadership

● Deontology which focuses on the motivation towards the right steps
taken, i.e. whether the intention behind it is right or wrong instead of
analyzing the validity outcomes. According to philosopher Immanuel
Kant a good will is important to justify the deontological approach to
moral values. Critically, Sir David Ross differentiated the moral duties
like promise and justice from actual formal duties.
Human rights have worked in support of deontological approaches by
protecting the violation of moral values.
 ● Teleology on the other hand focuses on outcomes. It analyzes the
actions and intentions behind them as well as the results of these
actions. Kant considered teleology less philosophical. These are moral
based judgments. An action is considered morally right if the outcome is
right or positive. In contrast if the result is negative the action is morally
incorrect and unethical.

Ethical Leadership Today

A successful and solid leadership builds an ethical environment in an
organization. It is becoming very common in today’s time. It works in a
hierarchical manner from top to bottom influencing everyone to follow it.

In an organization successful teams come out more confident and true and
they keep working on their skills and ethics to improve. Better communication
improves the leader’s relationship with his followers and produces better
results. Focusing on the actions more than results (Deontology) is a more
popular approach nowadays. If the process is followed properly and well
planned, it automatically reduces the chance of getting poor results. With this
taking everyone on the same level and working in a team is cherry on top.
This turns out to be an advantageous approach.

It improves the trust of customers and attracts more investors in a company.

The human resource is more powerful and strong. Everyone is always
motivated to give their 100% as mindset is very critical for success.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Ethical leadership has various advantages like Building the organization’s
reputation. Following ethics ensures the legality of the steps taken and
ensures the satisfaction of customers. It makes sure all the clear and
transparent work is processed. It builds a happy and positive working
environment in the workspace. The leader and followers work in an efficient
manner and have a better relationship with each other. The company works
towards good profits and business has happy customers. Best employees
work for longer periods and maintain a healthy relationship with the business.
It automatically attracts more investors and take social responsibility. No legal
problems are encountered.

On the other hand ethical leadership has some disadvantages as well like it
can restrict the profits because of controlled actions. The leaders cannot
exploit others just to make profit and sometimes taking ethical paths can put
the business in trouble. It takes a lot of time and effort to follow the right
ethical path and can end up in delays just to implement some actions.

For small businesses it can be very difficult to sustain ethical leadership as it

can cause instability in the business.

Concluding this, I would say Deontological approaches have more

advantages over Teleological approaches.