An Ethical Leader
Introduction
The concept of ethical leadership means that individuals in leadership positions demonstrate conduct for the common good, which is acceptable and appropriate in each part of their lives. Ethical leaders value ethics, especially from a business perspective, based on existing ethical frameworks like deontology and virtue ethics, among others (Feffer, 2017). Imperatively, ethical leaders are good role models as an example where their actions speak louder than words because people judge based on actions as opposed to what one says. Secondly, ethical leaders champion the importance of ethics by focusing on the overall benefits that they provide and how these issues affect society. As a moral leader, one must teach their peers about ethics, especially when faced with ethical dilemmas (Tuffley, 2015). Thirdly, ethical leaders need to be good communicators through speaking irrespective of the situation or people involved. Therefore, through an interview with an individual that I believe can be an ethical leader, this essay address what the person thinks and understands the concept of moral leadership.
How do you personally define ethics?
The interviewed leader is a corporate human resource manager, and according to her, ethics are moral principles that should guide how people, especially with responsibilities in society and businesses, make decisions. She believes that in many ways, the same guidelines that individuals utilize to behave and acceptably conduct themselves, especially in personal and professional settings, must apply to all areas in life, particularly in an organizational environment. She believes that ethics like deontological and virtue ethics should guide an individual in making the right decisions and distinguishing between what is wrong and right.
Ethics should provide an individual with a framework to act and ensure that they avoid unjust actions but promote what is right, just, and moral in a society based on the set norms and values. Effective decision-making depends on the ethical constructs that individuals have and the kind of moral guidelines that they value in their lives. Therefore, the interviewee is categorical that the first component of demonstrating leadership is a strong ethical understanding and having ethics that are acceptable to society, especially for business leaders.
Description of Ethics Philosophy
According to the interviewee, personal ethics denotes a category of philosophy that ascertains what a person believes in about morality and what is right and wrong. Personal ethics affects different areas of one’s life that include family, management f finances, and even relationships. According to her, effective decision-making on ethical issues requires an in-depth appreciation of one’s ethics philosophy and what they believe concerning life experiences and events. A real character of a leader arises when they have to make critical decisions, particularly on ethical issues that have dilemma situations. Accordingly, this HR expert believes that her moral philosophy is a kind of virtue ethics. The implication is that one needs to understand its best interest and act prudently on this knowledge from a rational perspective.
Ethical actions should be based on the need to minimize harm to others while remaining serving one’s best interests. Virtue ethics are personal excellences or habits and skills which have broad application in making decisions in life. Therefore, ethical leaders should always consider their unique positions and ensure that they make decisions for the greater good of their happiness but also the happiness of the many. Moral virtue-based decisions must also consider inherent values like respect, honesty, caring, and fairness or justice (Feffer, 2017). As an ethical leader, the categorical imperative is to do what is suitable for the majority and model a personality that inspires and provides exemplary character for the followers. Without virtue and deontological ethics, it is challenging to be an effective leader with a known leadership philosophy.
Handling Ethical Dilemmas
Leaders in their positions deal with a host of ethical dilemmas that implore them to make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions. However, a leader needs to think about their ethical opinions and philosophies when faced with such dilemmas situations. According to the HR expert, ethical dilemmas arise in different and daily cases in recruitment and employee development in organizations. Imperatively, HR managers deal with the need to develop practical, ethical approaches when faced with dilemmas concerning their decision-making capabilities. When faced with such dilemmas, the ethics philosophy of an individual becomes a critical tool that they can use to assess the kind of decisions that they make.
What was the Issue?
The HR expert says that the profession has many ethical issues, especially in the employment of adhering to the set legal on employee discrimination. The existing frameworks implore HR managers to avoid any practices of treating employees based on their social class, gender, or religion, as well as age and disability. The dilemma faced by the HR expert is that while organizations are not supposed to discriminate on any basis, the goal and mission, as well as objectives of a company, should be considered when hiring individuals. In a recent incident, the HR manager expert says that she was faced with a dilemma of recruiting a female applicant who wanted a position whose job description suits a male candidate. The female applicant was aware of the existing vacancy and asserted that she was not only qualified but experienced in this position. She also demonstrated that she had the necessary skills and competencies to work. The dilemma in this situation is that management preferred a male employee in this position and not a female.
What was the Result?
The situation was complicated since the applicant was a referral from a supervisor in the department, and it was not going to help the condition that the management preferred a male candidate for the position. Based on ethical leadership, it was essential to making the right decision. In this case, the HR manager says that she intervened and demonstrated to the management that the female applicant deserves to get the position irrespective of the overall notion that a male applicant should be recruited and given the situation. As the HR manager, it was incumbent of her to demonstrate ethical leadership and values by insisting that she will enlist the female applicant and train her appropriately where she is not effective in discharging her duties and responsibilities based on the job description. The HR expert asserts that leaders must be role models and adhere to legal provisions in their business environment. Workplace discrimination in employment is unethical and should be discouraged by all leaders.
Conclusion
Leaders have a responsibility to model ethical leadership models in their positions to inspire many people. Consequently, as a moral leader, one must have an ethics philosophy to guide their decision-making approaches so that they arrive at the most optimal outcomes in an ethical situation as illustrated in this interview.
References
Feffer, M. (2017). Ethical vs. Legal Responsibilities for HR Professionals. Retrieved from
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/ethical-practice/pages/ethical-and-legal-responsibilities-for-hr-professionals.aspx
Tuffley, D. (2015). Five traits of an ethical leader. Retrieved from
https://theconversation.com/five-traits-of-an-ethical-leader-51181