The Ethics of Leadership
The Ethics of Leadership
David Draper
Ashford University
BUS 610- Organizational Behavior
Dr. Gary Shelton
March 18, 2013
ABSTRACT
The paper explores the leadership of Robert Nardelli at home depot during the years of 2000 through 2006. The paper focuses on his methods and actions in the context of leadership theory in an effort to define his specific leadership style. Once defined the paper examines his methods and actions to determine if they were ethical or unethical. Nardelli’s performance at Home Depot was statistically successful but his authoritarian leadership style, which he obtained while being very successful at GE did not mesh with the culture that existed at Home Depot during his tenure.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and identify Robert Nardelli’s, former CEO of Home depot, leadership style and whether or not his actions and methods are considered ethical or unethical. In order to consider his actions ethical or unethical the paper will also explore a brief discussion of ethics and ethical behavior in the workplace or organization.
LEADERSHIP STYLES
There are many general categories of leadership styles, trait, behavioral, situational, contingency, transactional, and transformational theories (Cherry, 2012). These categories highlight the evolution of leadership theories and study but also highlight the change in cultural beliefs in the world. There are several approaches within each category; we will leverage these specific approaches to define Nardelli’s style of leadership. Trait based theories focus on the characteristics that differentiate a leader from the generic employee. This theory focused on the inclination that leaders were born and had specific traits that made them leader. Such traits as height and physical attractiveness were just a few that were evaluated. They stated that if they were successful in one business they would be successful in another (Baack, 2012). Behavioral based theories
David Draper
Ashford University
BUS 610- Organizational Behavior
Dr. Gary Shelton
March 18, 2013
ABSTRACT
The paper explores the leadership of Robert Nardelli at home depot during the years of 2000 through 2006. The paper focuses on his methods and actions in the context of leadership theory in an effort to define his specific leadership style. Once defined the paper examines his methods and actions to determine if they were ethical or unethical. Nardelli’s performance at Home Depot was statistically successful but his authoritarian leadership style, which he obtained while being very successful at GE did not mesh with the culture that existed at Home Depot during his tenure.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and identify Robert Nardelli’s, former CEO of Home depot, leadership style and whether or not his actions and methods are considered ethical or unethical. In order to consider his actions ethical or unethical the paper will also explore a brief discussion of ethics and ethical behavior in the workplace or organization.
LEADERSHIP STYLES
There are many general categories of leadership styles, trait, behavioral, situational, contingency, transactional, and transformational theories (Cherry, 2012). These categories highlight the evolution of leadership theories and study but also highlight the change in cultural beliefs in the world. There are several approaches within each category; we will leverage these specific approaches to define Nardelli’s style of leadership. Trait based theories focus on the characteristics that differentiate a leader from the generic employee. This theory focused on the inclination that leaders were born and had specific traits that made them leader. Such traits as height and physical attractiveness were just a few that were evaluated. They stated that if they were successful in one business they would be successful in another (Baack, 2012). Behavioral based theories
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