ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Karen May P. Urlanda

Introduction

A leader is someone who lead an organization, a person that holds a superior

position within in its field and is able to exercise a high degree of control or influence
over others. He/she is the one in charge, the person who convinces other people to
follow. He/she inspires confidence in other people and moves them to action. He/she
shows respect all members of the team by listening to them attentively, valuing their
contributions, and being generous while considering opposing viewpoints. As a leader
he/she must possess a code of morals practiced by a person or group of people and
that is being an ethical leader.

Being an ethical leader leads employees to build good relationships based on

respect and trust. Effective leaders fundamentally believe that acting with integrity,
honesty, fairness, equity, justice and compassion result in sustainable success. When
people recognize the value of adhering to standards for conduct, they treat each other
with sincerity.

Ethical leadership is about far more than having an understanding of the right
values, or of having a strong character that leads by example. An ethical leader not only
has high values and the determination to succeed but also understands the importance
of building a strong framework that allows others to follow the examples set so that
everyone benefits. It is about striving for the same goal and embodying the same
purpose, values and vision.

1. Topical report present in DEML 712 class-Contemporary Leadership and Strategy in Managing Institution
under -Professor

2. Karen May P. Urlanda of Doctor of Education Sultan Kudarat State University, Access, EJC Montilla,
Tacurong City.
 What is Ethical Leadership?

Ethical leadership is defined as “the demonstration of normatively appropriate

conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of
such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement and decision-
making” (Brown et al., 2005, p. 120). To be an ethical leader one needs to adhere to a
more universal standard of moral behaviour (Thomas, 2001).

According to Bubble (2012), Ethical leadership as the process of influencing

employees through values, principles and beliefs that extensively border on the
accepted norms in the organizational behaviors. An ethical leader demonstrates
character, morals, and virtue in their work, focusing on the needs and rights of their
employees.

So ethical leadership means acting according to your moral principles in your

day-to-day business life and decision-making. To put it simply, it means doing the right
thing.

Components of Ethical Leadership

➢ Gratitude

defined as the thankfulness and sincere joy expressed in response to a gift or a

kind (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). An ethical leader expresses thanks and appreciation
to employees for their efforts.

➢ Humility

it is a quiet, calm confidence, and admiration in the ability of others as the

humble leader lacks arrogance, not aggressiveness . A humble leader acknowledges
limitations and mistakes, and attempts to correct them. (Doty & Gerdes, 2000).

➢Justice

An ethical leader is always fair and just. They have no favorites, and treat
everyone equally. Under an ethical leader, no employee has any reason to fear biased
treatment on the basis of gender, ethnicity, nationality, or any other factor. Proper
application of fairness which promotes a sense of justice creates better workplace
citizenship and transparency of individuals value (Ajala, 2016).

➢Mercy and Compassion

a leader must have the ability to deal with unseen interpersonal and personal
problems which may affect the organization. Leader must have a deep understanding
on the difficulties of subordinates may encounter in the execution of their duties.

➢ Magnanimity

leader provides example of character and expectation of employees. The

magnanimous leader displays realistic vision, builds trust, is forgiving, recognizes
achievement in subordinates, and is generous with his or her time.

➢ Integrity and Resilience

leader honors commitments and expects subordinates to do so as well.

Maintains loyalty, apologizes when necessary and takes responsibility. A commitment to
principles, according to Azuka (2009).

Impacts of Ethical Leadership

1. The Well-Being of the Individual

Ethical leaders who lead by example may influence others to do the same.
Generally, people are affected by the interactions that occur around them.
Positive communication among co-workers may help influence job productivity
and attitude.

2. The Energy of the Team

Ethical leadership can also involve the management of conduct and
collaboration within a team. Typically, morale is higher in the workplace when
people are getting along with each other. When co-workers are working as a
 team, it can help build relationships in the workplace and help the overall
performance of the group. Generally, strong leaders lead by example.

3. The Health of the Organization

The importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace has a
lot to do with improving the overall health of the organization. When people can
show respect for one another, and can value other’s opinions, it may help create
a productive working environment. An ethical organization can occur when
communities of people work together in an environment of mutual respect, where
they can grow personally, build friendships and contribute to the overall goal.

How to Become an Ethical Leader?

To become this type of leader an individual must be willing to honestly examine
their beliefs, thinking and goals. Once able to understand personal strengths,
weaknesses, behaviours and limitations a leader can commit to willingly helping others
by talking responsibility for the way in which their own actions affect other people.

Why Lead Ethically?

Leaders are role models, so it is therefore important to lead by positive example.
If you want to encourage individuals or an organization to work in an ethical way it is
essential to lead in an ethical manner. Working with an ethical system encourages the
building of trust, and inspires others to follow the example set.

Ethical leadership also earns respect and credibility, and can lead to
collaboration with other ethically-minded individuals and organization. Leading from an
ethical stand-point will also provide an individual or organization with unquestionable
integrity and provides the opportunity to lead from a moral high ground.
 Principles of Ethical Leadership (Northhouse, 2013)

 Respect Others-

- treat other people’s values and decisions with respect

-Allow others to be themselves with creative wants and desires.

-Approach other with a sense of unconditional worth and value

individual differences.

 Serves Others

-A duty to help others pursue their own legitimate interests and goals.

-To be stewards of the organization’s vision: in serving others they:

Clarify, nurture, and integrate the vision with, not for, organization
members.

-An ethical responsibility to make decisions that are beneficial to their

follower’s welfare.

 Shows Justice

-Adhere to the principles of distributive justice.

-All subordinate are treated in equal manner.

 Manifest Honesty-

-Tell the truth with a balance of openness and candor while monitoring
what is appropriate to disclose in a particular situation.

-Acknowledge and reward honest behavior in an organization.

 Builds Community

-Takes into account purposes of everyone in the group.

-Reach out beyond their own mutually defined goals to wider community.
 Ethical Leadership

Advantages Disadvantages

Increase job satisfaction Requires the leader’s ethical framework to

fall in line with the vision of the
organization

The spreading of helpful behavior across Can be rather dependent on the leader’s
the organization ability to influence

Help employees quickly to report on Can be extremely complicated if upholding

problems high ethical standards at all times

Provide an additional collaborative benefit Makes the organizations to pay more

to an organization attention to policies

Similarities and Differences of Ethical and Authentic Leadership

Similarities with Ethical Differences with Ethical

Leadership Leadership

Authentic Leadership Concern for others Ethical leaders emphasize

moral management and
Ethical decision making
other awareness
Integrity
Authentic leadership
Role modeling
emphasize authenticity and
self -awareness
Conclusion:

An ethical leader is someone who embodies the purpose and values of the
company, organization or team that he/she works for or leads. This leader is driven to
perform to the best of their ability and compels others to do the same. Maintaining
strong ethics in a professional and personal capacity marks an ethical leader as
someone who stands out from the crowd. To be an ethical leader requires the ability to
be open, honest and direct in all situations and with all kinds of people.

In order to be a successful leader an individual must bring value to the team,

group or company they are asked to lead and direct. To do this successfully an ethical
leader must set up open communication where the basics of value is routinely
discussed and explored. Leaders must also take responsibility and accountability
regarding bringing value into the role and have an understanding of the alternatives.
Having a strong commitment to creating a flow in communication, business and
knowledge enables the ethical leader to empower whilst creating loyalty and productivity.

Ethical leadership should be implemented by every person in a management

position. This style of leading fosters an environment of trust and respect with workers
and executives.

“Ethics must begin at the top of an organization. It is a leadership issue and the chief executive
must set the example.” – Edward Hennessy
 References:

Journal/Article

Mihelic, K.K ET. AL. (2010). Ethical Leadership. International Journal of Management
& Information Systems – Fourth Quarter 2010 Volume 14, Number 5.

Alshammari, A ET.AL. (2014). Ethical Leadership: The Effect on Employees.

International Journal of Business and Management; Vol. 10, No. 3; 2015
ISSN 1833-3850 E-ISSN 1833-8119.Published by Canadian Center of
Science and Education.

Hegarty, N and Moccia S. (2018).Components of Ethical Leadership and Their

Importance in Sustaining Organizations Over the Long Term.The Journal
of Values-Based Leadership Volume 11 Issue 1 Winter/Spring 2018
Article 7

Martin, A. (2014). The Importance of Ethics in Leadership

Internet

http://www.leadershipexpert.co.uk/ethical-leadership.html

http://www.leadershipexpert.co.uk/importance-ethics-leadership.html