Leadership Ethics By Peter Northouse

LEA D ER S H IP ETH IC S

Ethics D ef n i ed
 From Western tradition
 development of ethical theory dates

back to Plato (427–347 b.c.) and
Aristotle (384–322 b.c.).

 Word ethics -roots from Greek

word ethos, which translates to customs, conduct, or character. Ethics D ef n i ed
 Ethics is concerned
 with the kinds of values and morals an

individual or a society finds desirable or appropriate.  with the virtuousness of individuals

and their motives.

Ethicaltheory
 provides a system of rules or

principles that guide us in making decisions about what is right or wrong and good or bad in a particular situation.
 basis for understanding what it

means to be a morally decent human being. Ethical Theories

From the Teleological and Deontological perspective, the question “What is right?” is answered by looking at results or outcomes.

Three approaches to m aking decisions regarding m oralconduct
From the teleological perspective, the question “What is right?” is answered by looking at results or outcomes.

 ETHICAL EGOISM,
 states that a person should act so as to create the greatest

good for herself or himself.
 A leader with this orientation would take a job or career that he or she selfishly enjoys
 Self-interest is an ethical stance closely related to transactional leadership theories (Bass & Steidlmeier,
1999).
 From business contexts
 a company and its employees make decisions to achieve its goal of maximizing profits

Three approaches to m aking decisions regarding m oralconduct
 UTILITARIANISM
 states that we should behave so as to

create the greatest good for the greatest number.  the morally correct action is the action that maximizes social benefits while minimizing social costs (Schumann,
2001).

Three approaches to m aking decisions regarding m oralconduct
 ALTRUISM
 an approach that suggests that actions

are moral if their primary purpose is to promote the best interests of others.

TeleologicalTheory:

D