Ethics and Leadership
The Challenge of
st
the 21 Century
Definitions
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Ethics
 A system of moral principles or
values
 The study of the general nature
of morals and moral choices
 The rules of conduct
Morals
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The principles of right and wrong in
relation to human behavior and
character
Teaching correct behavior
Standards of right or just behavior
A precept or general truth
The Difference between Ethics
and Morals
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Morality refers to standards
of behaviors by which people
are judged
Ethics encompasses the
system(s) of beliefs that
support a particular view of
morality
Norms

Written or unwritten laws,
codes, regulations, customs,
or standards created and
maintained to control
behavior constituting social
order.
Values

Subjective evaluations
of what one actually
likes, esteems, desires,
approves, enjoys, and
regards as important.
Culture
A
conceptual
descriptor for
shared norms and
values
Moral Theories
 Sets
of assumptions
that test and
determine right and
wrong behaviors
Utilitarianism
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Ends based
Whatever produces the greatest good
for the greatest number is right
Examine the possible results and pick
the one that produces the most
blessings over the greatest range
Political Legislation
The Categorical Imperative
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Rule based
Immanuel Kant
Follow only the principles that you want
everyone else to follow
Fixed rules, obligation, and duty
Act in a way that your actions could
become a universal standard
Virtue Ethics
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Care based
The Golden Rule
Test your behaviors by putting yourself
in another’s circumstances imagining
how you would feel if you were the
recipient rather than the perpetrator of
your behaviors. Empathetic living
Core Values
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Truth
Loyalty
Individual rights
Community standards
Short-term consequences
Long-term consequences
Justice
Mercy
Dilemmas

Situations or circumstances
that involve choosing
between equally powerful
core values
Dilemma Paradigms

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Truth versus Loyalty
Individual versus Community
Short-term versus Long-term
Justice versus Mercy
Ethical/Moral Leadership
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What moral theory applies or
informs the leader best how to
decide or act?
What core values are involved in
the situation?
Do the people, circumstances,
and culture provide salience to
making a choice