Ethical Leadership

Leadership and Ethics in the Workplace
Ismail A 'A Mustafaa
Brandman University
April 21, 2012

Abstract
When leaders commit ethical violations we often assume that the leader lacks principles, morals, values, and ethics. The purpose of this research paper is to examine and identify the pitfalls that leaders encounter in regards to ethical leadership in the workforce. The author will also look at the different definitions of ethical leadership, look at what the past and current challenges that ethical leaders face and analysis the pitfalls that contribute to leaders abandoning their ethics, try to discover if there any warning signs for organizations to be aware of that a leader is about to abandon his ethics, and examine any solutions
The Center for Ethical Leadership (2013) defines ethical leadership as knowing your core values and having the courage to live them in all parts of your life in service of the common good. Researchers in the field of applied psychology define ethical leadership as the demonstration of appropriate conduct through personal actions and relationships and the promotion of such conduct to subordinates through two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision making (Barnes & Doty, 2010). When looking at the definition of ethical leadership from two different sources the common theme is looking out for the interest of the group rather than the individual himself.
Research Question Two: Pitfalls for Ethical Leaders It is suggested that many ethical violations by upper managers are the by-products of success and not of competitive pressure (Ludwig & Longenecker, 1993). When leaders commit ethical violations we often think it is because the leader lacks values and principles. However some may argue that leaders that commit ethical violations are people that have a strong sense of ethics and moral values (Van Velsor & Ascalon, 2008). So why then do leaders that work so hard to make it to the top of their organization decide to abandon their ethics? There are many examples of leaders that have made it to the top in their organization only to fall on their sword for abandoning their ethics, morals, and values. You can find examples
Instead of him leading his troops into battle as a king should do, he stayed home leaving his general Joab in charge. David felt that with the recent success in battles that his army has had, they did not need him to be there because Joab was capable enough to ensure the continuous success of his army. David delegated his authority to Joab so he could go back home and relax because he wanted more time for leisure. He may have felt like he deserved a break after his earlier battles. While David was back at home he had privileged access that others did not have. From his rooftop on his palace he was able to look down and see things from a view that could not be seen from below. From his privileged vantage point he was able to see Bathsheba as she bathed.
David does not know who the woman is that he has seen bathing, so he sends his servants to investigate and find the woman 's name (a clear example of using corporate resources for self gain). The servants informed David that the woman 's name was Bathsheba, she was married, and she was married to one of his officers, Uriah, who was away in battle. Even though David knows it is wrong, he sends for Bathsheba, sleeps with her, and gets her