Ethical Leadership Flashcards
(45 cards)
Ethical Leadership
Combines ethical decision-making and ethical behavior, and occurs in both an individual and organizational context.
Values
Core beliefs we hold regarding what is right and fair in terms of our actions and our interactions with others; what individuals believe to be of worth and importance to their life.
Ethics
The study of what we understand to be good and right behavior and the study of how we judge those behaviors.
The ethics of our actions and our decisions are defined…
societally, not individually.
Morals
Values that we attribute to a system of beliefs that help define right from wrong, good vs bad.
Typically get authority from something outside the individual - higher being or authority.
Ethical Dilemmas
Situations where one is forced to choose between two alternatives (both can be unfavorable and/or less right and more right, or less wrong and more wrong.
Ethical Relativism
In ethics, the belief that nothing is objectively right or wrong and that the definition of right or wrong depends on the prevailing view of a particular individual, culture, or historical period.
Military Ethics
Deals with those values and expected rules of the profession that are appropriate to actions taken within the military environment.
Designed to put principle above self-interest.
Personal integrity and moral courage are the keys to the viability of that ethic.
Ethically-Minded Organization
Organization that exemplifies professionalism, humility, self-control, personal discipline, and values.
Causes of ethical dilemmas
Uncertainty - not knowing all of the facts
Potential Harm - Unintended/intended consequences (good or bad) of actions, decisions, or behaviors.
Competing Values - national, personal, and institutional
What guidance assists in making ethical decisions?
AF Core Values Oath of Enlistment AFI's UCMJ DOD 5500.7-R Joint Ethics Regulation AFI 36-2618, Enlisted Force Structure
Issues where military leaders encounter ethical dilemmas
Standards of Ethical Conduct Financial Disclosure Forms Gifts to Superiors Foreign Gifts Use of Government Resources for Mementos and Gifts Participation in Frequent Flyer Programs Use of Government Communications Systems Honoraria Honorary Memberships Off-Duty Employment
Three O’s
Owing, Ordering, Oughting
Owing
Knowing who and what you owe
Ordering
Display proper ordering by having moral structuring and ethical priorities
Oughting
Understanding what Airmen should do, or ought to do.
Do something because it is the right thing to do, not because of fear of consequences.
Interpret the Situation
What is the ethical dilemma?
Analyze all the related factors and forces
Dilemma stems from uncertainty
Dilemma stems from potential harm caused by your decision - attempt to anticipate and consider the second and third order consequences before deciding.
Dilemma stems from competing values - strive to place principle first, purpose second, people third.
Ethical traps
Use ethical principles and Toner’s six tests to avoid them while making a decision
Toner’s six tests
Consider the best and worst outcomes - can you accept both outcomes? The Shame Test The Community Test The Legal Test The Situation Test The God Test The Consequences Test
The Shame Test
If your actions were publicized, would you be embarrassed, discredited, or humiliated?
The Community Test
Besides your family, would you want your peers, neighbors, or friends to know?
The Legal Test
Could you face legal action? Are you willing to face legal action?
The Situation Test
Could you justify your action because of peculiar, special, or extraordinary circumstances?
