ETHICS IN LEADERSHIP

Irvine Hall Student Leadership Workshop

Jamie – Ann Chevannes Administrator May 18, 2015

What is the Role of a Leader?

• As a leader you will be expected to “establish direction by developing a vision of the future; then … align people by communicating this vision and inspiring them to overcome hurdles” (Stephen Robbins, 2003).

Some Leaders Perspective on a Leader

• Martin Luther King Jr- “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus”

• Adolf Hitler – “To be a leader means to be able to move the masses”

• Richard Nixon – A leader “implants noble ideals and principles with practical accomplishments”

• Vance Packard – “ Leadership appears to be the art of getting others to want to do something that you are convinced should be done”

• John Maxwell – “Leadership is influence – nothing more nothing less”

What is Leadership?

• Leadership is a specialized form of social interaction : a reciprocal, transactional, and sometimes transformational process in which cooperating individuals are permitted to influence and motivate others to promote the attainment of group or individual goals.

• Leadership is based on the ability of an individual to influence others in a legitimate way and not through exercising sheer power.

Transactional Leadership

• Transactional Leadership is focused on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance.

• It promotes strict compliance of the established rules and culture and a “follower” will be rewarded for their compliance and punished if they are non-compliant.

• Transactional leaders are not looking to change the future but are looking to maintain the status quo.

Transformational Leadership

• Transformational leadership allows for “leaders and followers to help each other to advance to a higher level of morale and motivation”.

• Not based on a give and take relationship but rather on the leaders characteristics and his ability to make a change/difference through his actions and articulations.

• Leaders who inspire followers to transcend their own self-interests and who are capable of having a profound and extraordinary effect on followers.

What is Ethics?

• Ethics can be defined as the principles of conduct governing an individual or group,

OR

• A discipline dealing with what is good and bad or with moral duty and obligation

What does Ethics have to do with Leadership?

• “The power that comes from a leader can also be used for evil as well as good. When we assume the benefits of leadership, we also assume ethical burdens” (Craig Johnson; Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership)

“Six Pillars of Character” for an

Ethical Leader – Josephson Institute (1999) • Trustworthiness – Integrity, honesty, keeping promises and

not deceiving others.

• Respect – listening to others, accepting individual differences

• Responsibility – accountability, self-control

• Fairness – making informed judgements without favouritism or prejudice, playing by the rules, transparency

• Caring – acting to minimize hardship and to help others whenever possible, altruism

• Citizenship – making our democratic institutions work, operating within the law, protecting the environment and working to make one’s community better

Leadership and Ethical Dilemmas

• An ethical dilemma occurs when important values come into conflict, and the leader (decision maker) must make a choice between these values. E.g. caring vs trustworthiness

• When ethical dilemmas occurs a leader has to exercise “moral courage” as the decision is a difficult.

Guiding Your Ethics in Leadership

Objectives of the Hall Committee (Constitution)

• To promote, foster and develop internal activities for the educational, cultural and social interests of members of the Hall

• To promote unity and fraternity among members of the Hall

• To represent the interest of Hall members at the Hall, Guild and University levels

• To promote maximum participation of members of the Hall in Hall, Guild and University activities.

Results of Unethical Leadership

When unethical and damaging behaviour is not appropriately and proportionately dealt with, trust and respect breaks down.

85% of Jamaicans feel that the political parties are corrupt, 74% that the parliament is corrupt,

48% our judiciary and 46% public servants.

(TI 2013)

58% of Jamaicans believe politically connected criminals go free (UNDP 2012)

How to Treat Unethical Behaviour

Misconduct includes (Constitution):

• Unauthorized removal of Hall Committee property and/or assets

• Misappropriation of Hall Committee funds

• Any other actions or activity not listed above but deemed inappropriate by a simple majority of the Hall Committee