Moral Leadership
Moral Leadership 1
Moral Leadership Tracey Marshall Canada Christian College
Advanced Dynamics in Leadership Dr. Clarence Duff April 12, 2012
Moral Leadership 2
The distinction between right and wrong concerning principles is called morality. It is morality which helps to govern people whether as an individual, in a family, community, or organization. Within the last century, morality has been closely linked to leadership by identifying a style called “Moral Leadership”. In fact, it is within this last decade, that the continual confusion over true moral reasoning has caused an ethical collapse of massive proportions within the seven spheres of influence in our society. These spheres are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family, and religion. These have all been affected by the lack of true moral leadership.1 (Hillman, 2011, p. 7)
Society as a whole, has experienced a paradigm shift. It is with an inflated capacity of the ego that some leaders use as their power to influence and gain success.
A problem that leaders are facing within every sphere of influence is the distinction of success. One may view themselves as being successful because they are a good leader. This lends to the question, “Does being a good leader automatically make you a moral leader?” 2 (Rhodes, 2006, p. 5) Perhaps it does. Of course that depends on the system of reasoning used to define their decision-making process.
There are many ethical systems that people use to characterize their behaviour. However, not every system allows the authentic self (true spirit) to be revealed, and thereby individuals lead with ego and ultimately self-interest. In addition, it should be pointed out what cannot be disputed: the foundation of morality, which are behaviours such as integrity, honesty, truth and
Moral Leadership 3
virtue. What is in question is the following: (a) the source of the behaviours and (b) the conceptualization of reasoning.
Moral Leadership Tracey Marshall Canada Christian College
Advanced Dynamics in Leadership Dr. Clarence Duff April 12, 2012
Moral Leadership 2
The distinction between right and wrong concerning principles is called morality. It is morality which helps to govern people whether as an individual, in a family, community, or organization. Within the last century, morality has been closely linked to leadership by identifying a style called “Moral Leadership”. In fact, it is within this last decade, that the continual confusion over true moral reasoning has caused an ethical collapse of massive proportions within the seven spheres of influence in our society. These spheres are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family, and religion. These have all been affected by the lack of true moral leadership.1 (Hillman, 2011, p. 7)
Society as a whole, has experienced a paradigm shift. It is with an inflated capacity of the ego that some leaders use as their power to influence and gain success.
A problem that leaders are facing within every sphere of influence is the distinction of success. One may view themselves as being successful because they are a good leader. This lends to the question, “Does being a good leader automatically make you a moral leader?” 2 (Rhodes, 2006, p. 5) Perhaps it does. Of course that depends on the system of reasoning used to define their decision-making process.
There are many ethical systems that people use to characterize their behaviour. However, not every system allows the authentic self (true spirit) to be revealed, and thereby individuals lead with ego and ultimately self-interest. In addition, it should be pointed out what cannot be disputed: the foundation of morality, which are behaviours such as integrity, honesty, truth and
Moral Leadership 3
virtue. What is in question is the following: (a) the source of the behaviours and (b) the conceptualization of reasoning.
References: 1 2 Hillman, Os (2011) Rhode, Deborah L. (2006). Moral Leadership: The Theory and Practice of Power, Judgement and Policy. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. http://www.apa.org/research/action/glossary.aspx Chapman, Roger (2010)