Leadership Ethics
Since ancient times, humans have been interested in the ethics of leaders, and there have been many studies, but they are weak in relation to leadership ethics. In general, the concept of ethics will be defined and the five ethical principles (respect - service - justice - honesty - the interest of the group) will be discussed.
moral theories
Ethical theories are concerned with the actions of leaders on the one hand, and who the leaders are on the other. Ethical theories can be viewed as falling into two broad areas:
Leader behavior theories
Theories about the characteristics of a leader
Leader behavior theories
Action-focused theories (teleological theories):
teleology: means-ends or ends (from the Greek telos).
It attempts to answer questions about right and wrong by finding out whether an individual's behavior will lead to desired results.
From a teleological standpoint, it is done by looking at the outcomes, since the consequences of one's actions determine whether a particular behavior is good or bad.
Theories based on decision-making approaches to ethical behavior (Fig.):
Moral ego: the individual should act in a way that achieves his greatest good. This approach is common among companies. For example, a manager works hard and makes his department the best.
Utilitarianism (the second teleological approach): We should act in a way that achieves the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people. For example, the US government allocates a large portion of the federal budget to preventive health rather than to disaster diseases.
Altruism: In contrast to the moral ego, actions are moral if their primary purpose is to show concern for the interests of others. Example: the work of Mother Teresa who gave her life to help the poor. Examples from our environment...
Literary duties theories
Derived from the Greek word, meaning not to focus on actions and their consequences.
Depending on whether the act itself is good, telling the truth, keeping a promise, being fair, and respecting others are examples of good deeds in themselves regardless of their results.
The concept of duty rests on a leader's actions, moral obligations, and responsibilities to do the right thing.
Virtue-based theories
Focus on leaders as human beings, and therefore virtues are considered to be rooted in the heart and inclinations of the individual, and they are not innate but acquired.
Example: boldness, dignity, generosity, self-control, honesty, sociability, humility, impartiality, justice.
The centrality of ethics to leadership:
Ethics is a central theme for leadership. Leaders help establish and reinforce organizational values. Each leader has a particular philosophy and viewpoint.
Ethics is central to leadership because of the nature of the influence process, the need to involve followers in achieving common goals, and the impact leaders have in establishing the organization's values.
Concept of ethical leadership
Leadership for Hefetz includes the use of power to help followers deal with the conflicting values that appear in changing work environments and social cultures, and Hefetz believes that leaders must use power to mobilize people to confront pressing issues. They are secure in the face of difficult problems, and leaders use power to get people interested in issues.
Burns' concept of ethical leadership
This concept indicates that it is necessary for leaders to engage and assist followers in their personal struggles regarding conflicting values, and the relationship between leader and follower.
This process contributes to raising the level of morality in both the leader and the follower.
Green Leaf Concept of Ethical Leadership
The way an individual appears as a leader is by being a servant first. He focuses on the needs of his followers and helps them become more knowledgeable, free and independent.
In addition, the servant leader has a social responsibility to care for the needy and recognize them as equal partners in the life of the organization, and when there is inequality, the servant leader tries to eliminate it.
Principles of Ethical Leadership
These principles represent a basis for developing sound moral leadership: such as respect, service, justice, honesty, and sociality.
Moral leaders respect others: German philosopher Kant said:
“It is our duty to treat others with respect. Leaders who respect others allow them to make themselves up to their creative desires and ambitions, and they deal with people out of a sense of their unconditional value and value individual differences.”