Ethical Leadership Flashcards
Ethical Leadership
Combines ethical decision-making and ethical behavior, and occurs in both an individual and organizational context.
Values
Core beliefs we hold regarding what is right and fair in terms of our actions and our interactions with others; what individuals believe to be of worth and importance to their life.
Ethics
The study of what we understand to be good and right behavior and the study of how we judge those behaviors.
The ethics of our actions and our decisions are defined…
societally, not individually.
Morals
Values that we attribute to a system of beliefs that help define right from wrong, good vs bad.
Typically get authority from something outside the individual - higher being or authority.
Ethical Dilemmas
Situations where one is forced to choose between two alternatives (both can be unfavorable and/or less right and more right, or less wrong and more wrong.
Ethical Relativism
In ethics, the belief that nothing is objectively right or wrong and that the definition of right or wrong depends on the prevailing view of a particular individual, culture, or historical period.
Military Ethics
Deals with those values and expected rules of the profession that are appropriate to actions taken within the military environment.
Designed to put principle above self-interest.
Personal integrity and moral courage are the keys to the viability of that ethic.
Ethically-Minded Organization
Organization that exemplifies professionalism, humility, self-control, personal discipline, and values.
Causes of ethical dilemmas
Uncertainty - not knowing all of the facts
Potential Harm - Unintended/intended consequences (good or bad) of actions, decisions, or behaviors.
Competing Values - national, personal, and institutional
What guidance assists in making ethical decisions?
AF Core Values Oath of Enlistment AFI's UCMJ DOD 5500.7-R Joint Ethics Regulation AFI 36-2618, Enlisted Force Structure
Issues where military leaders encounter ethical dilemmas
Standards of Ethical Conduct Financial Disclosure Forms Gifts to Superiors Foreign Gifts Use of Government Resources for Mementos and Gifts Participation in Frequent Flyer Programs Use of Government Communications Systems Honoraria Honorary Memberships Off-Duty Employment
Three O’s
Owing, Ordering, Oughting
Owing
Knowing who and what you owe
Ordering
Display proper ordering by having moral structuring and ethical priorities
Oughting
Understanding what Airmen should do, or ought to do.
Do something because it is the right thing to do, not because of fear of consequences.
Interpret the Situation
What is the ethical dilemma?
Analyze all the related factors and forces
Dilemma stems from uncertainty
Dilemma stems from potential harm caused by your decision - attempt to anticipate and consider the second and third order consequences before deciding.
Dilemma stems from competing values - strive to place principle first, purpose second, people third.
Ethical traps
Use ethical principles and Toner’s six tests to avoid them while making a decision
Toner’s six tests
Consider the best and worst outcomes - can you accept both outcomes? The Shame Test The Community Test The Legal Test The Situation Test The God Test The Consequences Test
The Shame Test
If your actions were publicized, would you be embarrassed, discredited, or humiliated?
The Community Test
Besides your family, would you want your peers, neighbors, or friends to know?
The Legal Test
Could you face legal action? Are you willing to face legal action?
The Situation Test
Could you justify your action because of peculiar, special, or extraordinary circumstances?
The God Test
What would your religious leader say? Would you want the action done to you? Or would you want everyone to make the same decision?
The Consequences Test
Will the end justify the means?
Types of Ethical Traps
Ethical Relativism
Loyalty Syndrome
Worry Over Image
Drive for Success
Ethical Relativism - trap
Making decisions based on personal values/beliefs rather than on military rules, regulations, and code of conduct.
Loyalty Syndrome
Making decisions based on respect and/or loyalty to an individual, unit, or organization etc. rather than on military rules, regulations, and code of conduct.
Worry Over Image
Making decisions based on how the decision will impact one’s reputations/standing among peers, subordinates, supervisors, community etc.
Drive for Success
Making decisions based on a “win at all cost” attitude rather than on military rules, regulations, and code of conduct.
The Three P’s
Principle, Purpose, People
Principle
Truth telling and honor
Purpose
Mission accomplishment and duty
People
Fellow citizens, Airmen, Soldiers, etc
The Three R’s
Rules, Results, Realities
Rules
Give us ethical guidance
The Law
Results
The outcomes or bottom line, and the consequences of following or not following those rules.
Justifiable end results?
Realities
Recognize the importance of the situation, circumstances, or realities.
Importance of the situation
The Three D’s
Discern, Declare, Do
Discern
Try to discern the truth at appropriate times
Declare
Declare the truth as we have discerned it
Do (State)
Do (state) what we have learned and declared
5-Step Ethical Decision Making Process
Interpret the situation Analyze all the factors Think about ethical traps and the best course of action Implement your decision Monitor and enforce
Dr Toner’s 4 Supporting Principles
No rewards for unethical behavior
Sanctions and forgiveness for mistakes
Appropriate action taken for dereliction of duty
Apply “Prudence First - Justice Second”- consider the most appropriate course of action according to the severity of the infraction
