Ethics Paper
Lucila Sanchez
MPP 540/ Prof. Maitland
Transformational Leadership and Utilitarian and Duty Ethics alongside Justice Theory Morality:
A Model for Ideal Ethical Leadership in Public Policy
The greatest responsibility that leaders in public policymaking have is to serve the public. The public constitutes not only those who elect a leader, but anyone who’s lives could be affected by the decisions made by that leader. These decisions may have lasting impacts on future generations and across borders and so necessitate a leader who has a conception of things as they are today but also as they could be in the future. Therefore, to serve the public to the greatest degree possible, the ideal ethical leader must embody certain leadership skills to enable him or her to work more effectively with those around them. The ideal ethical leader should also embody certain ethical and moral philosophies to make sure that the actions and/ or decisions that he or she takes are not in his or her interest, but in the interest of the public and in improving the lives of those they serve. Additionally, the ideal ethical leader should work in a collaborative effort when possible to ensure that policy decisions are balanced. Moreover, the ideal ethical leader should follow a transformational approach to leadership with sentiments of both the skills and situational approach to leadership along with a utilitarian and duty perspective on ethics and moral philosophy grounded on justice’s theory concern for those least privileged in society. A leader who follows these leadership skills and ethical and moral philosophies will be more apt to make decisions that are not based on any personal interest, but in the interest of those whom he or she is ultimately responsible to – the public. Leaders in the public arena are elected to serve by citizens because citizens believe that they possess a distinct quality that will allow them to succeed in leading others. The main quality that people
MPP 540/ Prof. Maitland
Transformational Leadership and Utilitarian and Duty Ethics alongside Justice Theory Morality:
A Model for Ideal Ethical Leadership in Public Policy
The greatest responsibility that leaders in public policymaking have is to serve the public. The public constitutes not only those who elect a leader, but anyone who’s lives could be affected by the decisions made by that leader. These decisions may have lasting impacts on future generations and across borders and so necessitate a leader who has a conception of things as they are today but also as they could be in the future. Therefore, to serve the public to the greatest degree possible, the ideal ethical leader must embody certain leadership skills to enable him or her to work more effectively with those around them. The ideal ethical leader should also embody certain ethical and moral philosophies to make sure that the actions and/ or decisions that he or she takes are not in his or her interest, but in the interest of the public and in improving the lives of those they serve. Additionally, the ideal ethical leader should work in a collaborative effort when possible to ensure that policy decisions are balanced. Moreover, the ideal ethical leader should follow a transformational approach to leadership with sentiments of both the skills and situational approach to leadership along with a utilitarian and duty perspective on ethics and moral philosophy grounded on justice’s theory concern for those least privileged in society. A leader who follows these leadership skills and ethical and moral philosophies will be more apt to make decisions that are not based on any personal interest, but in the interest of those whom he or she is ultimately responsible to – the public. Leaders in the public arena are elected to serve by citizens because citizens believe that they possess a distinct quality that will allow them to succeed in leading others. The main quality that people
References: 1. Maitland, P. (2008, September 17). Ethical Theories I. Presented at an Ethical Leadership and Collaboration in Public Policy lecture at CSU Monterey Bay. 2. Maitland, P. (2008, October 15). Collaboration as a Tool of the Ethical Leader. Presented at an Ethical Leadership and Collaboration in Public Policy lecture at CSU Monterey Bay. 3. Northouse, P.G. (2007). Leadership: Theory and Practice. (4th edition). Western Michigan University, MI: Sage Publications. 4. Svara, J. (2007). The Ethics Primer for Public Administrators in Government and Nonprofit Organizations. Tempe, AZ: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.