Legal and Ethical Leader - Assignment Example

Legal and Ethical Leader Q The dilemma The main character who is a sales division manager is struggling with the thought of whether or not he should hire a perfect sales representative, he had earlier interviewed who had a disc with information that could destroy his former employer’s competitiveness. The dilemma is whether he should hire the man and have the disc, which is unethical, or dismiss him with the potential “virtual gold mine” (Peale & Blanchard, 2011). The barriers/ obstacles Doing the right thing would be keeping away from the stolen crucial data but the sales manager is confused because having the disc would boost his company’s business, give him an advantage above his competitor company, and maybe earn him a higher rank in the organization. He also fears that if this information gets to the next employer of the interviewee, they will have better advantages over his company. My reaction The best thing to do would be to report the person to the authorities for his hideous act and have the date returned to his former employer. I would not hire him because he might do the same with my organization and endanger our progress in the event he has to leave us. That way, I will be safeguarding the integrity and fair completion of my organization. How my values impact my decisions I believe that rivalry in business is a healthy means of improving and sustaining the quality of products and services offered. As such, I would not sacrifice my work ethics just so I gain unfair competitiveness over my competitors. More so, it would always haunt me knowing that whatever success I achieved was dishonestly acquired, and that would negatively affect my future decision-making with regards to work ethics. My decision making model Perceiving of this as both a legal and ethical problem, I would weigh the potential consequences that would emerge from my participation in it. The biggest question I would consider is what effect it could have on my organization. Bound by my values, I would prefer to conduct fair business, and as such, choose the model that would keep my conscience innocent and proud of what I genuinely achieve. Q.2 Promoting ethical and moral behaviour of students in the HLD program In this scenario, I would apply my knowledge that dissatisfaction is a potential causal factor to rebellion which can manifest itself as unethical or immoral behaviour amongst students. In the light of this, I would establish guidelines that make them focus on what they feel is best towards attainment of their objectives. This means that I would encourage them to do the things that they feel will help them, but do them in the right way. By constantly reminding them of their goals, the students would always focus on the right things as they aim at their goals. Objectives of the ethics committee The main objectives of the ethics committee would be ensuring that the entire students’ body is treated equally and that the right procedures are adhered to during their pursuit of higher knowledge. By being fair to all the students in a similar manner, the committee would be assured that the success or failure of a student is out of their own will. On the other hand, promoting the right channels to be followed guarantees the students swift attainment of their goals. These intertwined, the ethics committee would have met its objectives of producing upright successful program graduates. Why our program should equip students with higher-than-others’ ethical skills It is obvious that the students taking the HLD program are required to portray higher standards of ethics. This is because the program is about creating future leaders, and a sense has it, a leader should be a positive role model to society. In this campus setting, it would be necessary that the HLD program, students portray strong leadership attributes this early (before completing their program) because it would prepare them for the outside world. In addition, practising what they learn will give them the experience to act as leaders by modelling for the other students while still here. In so doing, the program will be accredited as being effective in its mandates. Q.3 An ethical leader Martin Luther King’s legacy is sufficient to qualify him as amongst others; an ethical leader. The facts behind his ethical nature is that one, he advocated for what was right irrespective of whether the larger society mainstream was for, or against it. This is furthered by his generous nature in that despite the atrocities he encountered while at his advocacy, he did not relent on serving the people until he was assassinated in his service (Degnan, 2008). In addition, he advocated for equality in nonviolent ways, or rather, he followed the right channels of advocacy. A leader should advocate for what is right, despite any threats or barriers. King’s normative leadership theory In my opinion, and judging from his journey in leadership, Martin Luther King’s way of leadership perfectly fits a servant leader. In this style of leadership, a leader puts the interests of the society or others first, and he humbles his own demands and interests. This is evident in King’s case in that while he had sufficient qualifications to follow his individual career, he chose to ignore his abilities and take to serving the undermined American population. King’s demonstration of ethics Martin Luther King was a staunch supporter of equality and justice, and did not fear speaking up. Despite his assassination attempts and even the bombing of his house after the Montgomery bus boycott, he did not give up on advocating for black people’s rights. In this, he showed that while threats or temptations may attempt to derail the right, it is important to retain one’s focus on what is right. How they cast light instead of dark From King and other experiences I have had with ethical leaders, they withstand much suffering and fighting just so justice and societal right is achieved. The advocacy for the right in immoral societal contexts is a direct manifestation of how such leadership casts light (positivity) in the dark (social immorality). Lessons from ethical leaders I think the dominant lesson that I have derived from ethical leaders is that they aim at transforming situations for the better. This can be better put as that they identify a passion and go for it regardless of whatever challenges they encounter in the process. Finally, they portray rather unselfish and dedicated (sacrificial) natures. Q.4 Contrasting Utilitarianism and Altruism In the Utilitarianism perspective, the leader makes their choices based on the likely outcomes of their actions. This perspective works by generating more benefits than it does disadvantages, and again, the decisions have to favour the greatest number of people possible. In altruism, the perspective is defined as the act of being more concerned with the welfare of others as opposed to self. In this model, the notions of unselfishness, sacrifice, and wholly giving while expecting no reciprocation are highlighted (Kanungo & Mendonca, 2004). Similarities and differences The similarity between the two perspectives is that they aim at generating the maximum positive effects or benefits, and again, the acts are directed towards the societal (wider) good as opposed to individual. The only difference between them is that while altruism demands of one to be more sacrificial and act solely for the benefit of others, utilitarianism demands of one to act for the society’s good while favouring the most people; but does not call for individual sacrifice. Application The application of Utilitarianism is tricky and usually attracts much controversy. This is because its translation dictates that an act can be conducted even if it negatively affects a smaller party while benefitting a larger one in its place. For instance, it supports that a terrorist may be tortured if in so doing, more lives would be saved from the information that they may offer. On the other hand, altruism can be applied in the scenario where one wholly dedicates themselves to the service of others without getting anything in return. This can be said; a person dedicates their wealth or entire fortunes to a charity organization, or commits to doing purely community work. References Degnan-Veness, C. (2008). Martin Luther King. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Kanungo, R., & Mendonca, M. (2004). “General Ethical Perspectives”. Johnson (Ethical). 129-156. Peale, N., & Blanchard, K. (2011). The Power of Ethical Management. Random House. Read More