Developing Effective Leaders
Ethical Leadership
Sue E. Williams, Ph.D.
Objectives
 Integrate principles of leadership and
principles of ethics.
 Enhance the capabilities of community
leaders to recognize and act according
to their ethical beliefs.
 Provide a forum to discuss how to build
and maintain an ethical society.
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Definitions of Terms
VALUES
Core beliefs or desires that
guide and motivate attitudes
and actions.
MORALS
Customs and personal
beliefs of individuals about
what is right and wrong.
ETHICS
Standards of conduct that
indicate how one should
behave based on principles
about right and wrong.
Source: Scheffert and Hamersly 1993
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What is Ethics?
Ethics is not
about the
way things
are…
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
It is about the
way things
OUGHT to
be.
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Three Qualities of Ethical
Leadership
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Ethics is Character and Courage
Ethics is about character and courage
and how we meet the challenge when
doing the right thing will cost more than
we want to pay.
Michael Josephson
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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Ethics is Values
Ethics is a code of values which
guide our choices and actions and
determine the purpose and course of
our lives.
Derived from Ayn Rand
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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Case Study
So, do you
lie on the application?
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Six Pillars of Character
 Trustworthiness
 Respect
 Responsibility
 Justice & Fairness
 Caring
 Civic Virtue
 These core ethical
values transcend
cultural, religious, and
socio-economic
differences.
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Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics, Aspen Declaration, 1992
The Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Personal Values
and Beliefs
“Rights”
Rules and
Regulations
“Responsibilities”
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Ethical Decision Making
 An ethical perspective is having the
ability to:
 Be
sensitive to ethical issues.
 Make reasoned judgments.
 Have the motivation to act ethically.
 Follow through with action.
 Look back and learn from the situation.
Source: Scheffert and Hamersly 1993
11
Aiming for Ethical Decisions
If you aim for the outer rim,
Spirit &
Purpose
Minimal
Compliance
You will inevitably miss the target.
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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Ethical People
“An ethical person often chooses to
do more than the law requires and
less than the law allows – there is a
difference between what you have a
right to do and what is right to do.”
Justice Potter Stewart
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Competing Values
Instead of…
You might have to
choose between…
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Classic Ethical Conflicts
 Short-term vs. Long-term
 Principle vs. Expediency
 Self-interest vs. Others
 Conflicting loyalties
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Ethical Decision-Making Process
 Perceive
 Clarify
 Select
 Act
 Reassess
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Ethical Decision-Making Models
 Personal Warning System
 Bell, Book, and Candle
 M.O.R.A.L.
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Your Personal Warning System
The GOLDEN RULE
Do unto others
as you would have
others do unto you.
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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Bell, Book, and Candle
 Listen for the bells warning you.
 Check to see if there are any
laws, regulations, or rules.
 How will your decision look in
the light?
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M. O. R. A. L. MODEL
Massage the dilemma
Outline Options
Review criteria and resolve
Affirm position and act
Look back
Patricia Crisham
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Source: Scheffert and Hamersly 1993
Practicing Ethical Decision Making
 Case Study 1: The $20 Bill
 Case Study 2: The Youth Group
Sponsor
 Case Study 3: The Caring Board of
Directors
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Common Rationalizations









If it’s necessary, it’s ethical!
If it’s legal and permissible, it’s proper.
I was just doing it for you!
I’m just fighting fire with fire.
It doesn’t hurt anyone.
Everyone does it!
It’s okay if I don’t gain personally.
I’ve got it coming!
I can still be objective.
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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Ethics is a Name
“Ethics is the name we give to our
concern for good behavior. We feel an
obligation to consider not only our own
personal well-being, but that of others
and of society as a whole.”
 Dr. Albert Schweitzer
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Ethics is Hope
“When people accept responsibility for
their own conduct and for the well-being
of others, ethics serves to stabilize
society. Ethical leadership is the
antidote to despair and cynicism that is
crushing our spirit and clouding our
future. Ethics is our hope.”
Gary Edwards, Ethics Resource Center
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Why Worry about Ethics?
 Leadership is the investment of trust
into people who serve the common
good.
 It creates value.
 It refines and develops services that
enrich our lives.
 Leadership is naturally ethical.
Source: Scheffert and Hamersly 1993
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Why Worry about Ethics?
 What people look for in others for
leadership:
 Honesty
 Fair-mindedness
 Caring
 We appoint, elect, and encourage
leaders, expecting them to serve the
public reliably.
Source: Kouzes & Posner, 2002
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Final Thought
“If you want to know how to live your life,
Think about what you would like people to
say about you after you die….
Then, live backwards.”
Josephson Institute
Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics
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