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Assignment Discussion: Ethics & Values

Getting Started

In this assignment, you will discuss the principles of ethics and values described in Chapter 5 of our textbook, applying those principles to your workplace and experience.

Leaders are continually required to make decisions that fall into areas where there is no one “right” answer.

Knowing how to analyze these situations from a moral and ethical framework will assist the leader in more effectively leading and, in some cases, keep the leader from having to defend against charges of ethics violations.

As Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (New International Version).

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

• Analyze ethical and moral implications of a leadership situation.

Resources

• Textbook: Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience
• Article: Virtuous Leaders and Organization
• Article: Making Business Virtuous

Background Information

According to our textbook, “Leaders face dilemmas that require choices between competing sets of values and priorities, and the best leaders recognize and face them with a commitment to doing what is right, not just what is expedient” (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2019, p. 143).

The authors provide a theoretical and practical framework for leadership values and ethics, providing the reader with helpful information on subjects such as moral and ethical reasoning, the concepts of authentic and servant leadership, leading by example, creating and sustaining an ethical climate, and principle-centered leadership.

Instructions

• Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
• Read Chapter 5, “Values, Ethics, and Character” in our textbook. As you read, reflect on how a leader can effectively influence an organization’s commitment to ethics, values, and moral behavior. In that chapter, the authors refer to the research of Rushworth Kidder, who identified four ethical dilemmas that are common to our personal and organizational experience, including three principles for resolving ethical dilemmas.
• From the Spring 2017 issue of The DeVoe Report, read the article by Dr. Mark Brooker and Dr. Jeffrey Boyce, “Virtuous Leaders & Organizations.”
• Review the article Making Business Virtuous.
• While the 2.4 Assessment is not required, you are encouraged to access the questions, engage with the material, and assess your knowledge about Virtuous Business before moving on to instructions 6–9. This exercise is an opportunity for you to deepen your understanding of this as well as future assignments.  As you complete this assessment, consider the following:

1. Would a virtuous leader question the morality of an existing or potential law?
2. Would a virtuous leader hire a lobbyist to delay or kill costly but morally and ethically appropriate legislation?
3. Would a virtuous leader violate virtuous principles, even if legal, when doing business in foreign countries?
4. How is Servant Leadership related to Virtuous Business?

• After completing the 2.4 Assessment and reflecting on the questions above, write a paper incorporating information from our textbook and the supplemental readings. Be sure to provide detailed explanations for your evaluations that demonstrate clear, insightful critical thinking.

1. Describe your personal experiences with one or more of the ethical dilemmas described by Kidder and how they were resolved or should have been resolved.
2. How can an ethical and values-driven corporate culture influence the effective outcome of ethical dilemmas, and what is the leader’s responsibility in developing that culture?
3. Provide at least two citations from the “Making Business Virtuous” white paper which support your explanation.

• Your paper should be 400–500 words in length.
• Use proper spelling, grammar, and APS style in your paper and for any sources cited. For questions on APA style, go to OCLS APA Writing Styles Guides.
• When you have completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself and submit a copy to your instructor by the end of the workshop.