Introduction Many employees grumble when their leaders discuss being ethical.
During the massive economic downturn, many executives got rewarded for underperforming.
For many organizations, it is the proverbial "doing as I say and not as I do" for some managers.
Most managers can get away with this philosophy.
As businesses continue to falter and competition begins to bear down on the economy, workers are looking for leadership.
However, it is virtually impossible to lead an organization if you're unethical.
I'll expand on this organizational phenomenon.
Why is this true? Well, followers will not respect a leader low in integrity.
A leader can't trick them with promotions or bribe them with money.
In the long run, character does count in an effective organization.
This article examines the consequences of organizations empowering unethical leaders.
The Right Sign Ethics plays a critical role in good leadership.
Ethics is defined as the code of moral principles that governs the behavior of a person or group according to what is right.
Richard Draft, an organization management expert, explains that leaders at the highest management levels develop internal moral standards that can often allow them to break laws if necessary.
Leaders, however, should be connected with their organizations.
Some leaders feel they are bigger than their organizations; they are above organization's codes and values.
Employees notice these leaders breaking rules while they must live to higher ethical standards.
In this scenario, resentment spreads throughout the organization covertly.
Evidently, it is no surprise when these unethical leaders bring about their own demise and shame to the organization.
They become trapped by the "Seven Deadly Sins," which consist of pride, avarice (greed), envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and slothfulness.
These attributes are not good leadership qualities.
Unfortunately, it only takes one bad leader to destroy the core values of an organization.
Here are some ways to identify an unethical leader: This unethical leader...
People become less trusting of organizations and people.
How can organizations exist when the leader-follower relationship is broken apart? Without any controls or limits, an unethical leader can ruin your organization.
People, especially leaders, need to act in a manner that sets the example for the rest of the organization.
Therefore, it can be concluded that effective leaders must be careful to stay humble and have accountability mechanisms in place so that they won't hit any ethical mine fields.
Organizations can't afford to wait.
During the massive economic downturn, many executives got rewarded for underperforming.
For many organizations, it is the proverbial "doing as I say and not as I do" for some managers.
Most managers can get away with this philosophy.
As businesses continue to falter and competition begins to bear down on the economy, workers are looking for leadership.
However, it is virtually impossible to lead an organization if you're unethical.
I'll expand on this organizational phenomenon.
Why is this true? Well, followers will not respect a leader low in integrity.
A leader can't trick them with promotions or bribe them with money.
In the long run, character does count in an effective organization.
This article examines the consequences of organizations empowering unethical leaders.
The Right Sign Ethics plays a critical role in good leadership.
Ethics is defined as the code of moral principles that governs the behavior of a person or group according to what is right.
Richard Draft, an organization management expert, explains that leaders at the highest management levels develop internal moral standards that can often allow them to break laws if necessary.
Leaders, however, should be connected with their organizations.
Some leaders feel they are bigger than their organizations; they are above organization's codes and values.
Employees notice these leaders breaking rules while they must live to higher ethical standards.
In this scenario, resentment spreads throughout the organization covertly.
Evidently, it is no surprise when these unethical leaders bring about their own demise and shame to the organization.
They become trapped by the "Seven Deadly Sins," which consist of pride, avarice (greed), envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and slothfulness.
These attributes are not good leadership qualities.
Unfortunately, it only takes one bad leader to destroy the core values of an organization.
Here are some ways to identify an unethical leader: This unethical leader...
- Leads with a bad attitude
- Lies to his followers and peers
- Takes advantage of people
- Takes personal credit for group accomplishments
- Uses politics to gain power in an amoral manner
- Does not focus on the common good of the organization
- Does not support his followers
- Displays a "double-tongued" behavior
- Sacrifices his followers for personal gain
- Fails to model the way for followers
People become less trusting of organizations and people.
How can organizations exist when the leader-follower relationship is broken apart? Without any controls or limits, an unethical leader can ruin your organization.
People, especially leaders, need to act in a manner that sets the example for the rest of the organization.
Therefore, it can be concluded that effective leaders must be careful to stay humble and have accountability mechanisms in place so that they won't hit any ethical mine fields.
Organizations can't afford to wait.