Expert Advice: CHRIS - Ethical Management & Leadership

Summary

In this Expert Advice Series session, Dr. D. Christopher Kayes from George Washington University discusses ethical management and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ethical considerations in leadership and identifies sources of ethics, such as religious teachings, family values, and admired leaders like Nelson Mandela. The session highlights the necessity of a personal code of ethics for leaders to navigate difficult decisions. Using a case study of a retail manager faced with a hiring dilemma, Kayes illustrates how a code of ethics can guide leaders to make decisions that align with rules, fairness, self-perception, and community values.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Importance of Ethics in Leadership**: Leaders must understand the importance of ethical considerations in their decision-making processes.
• 🔍 **Identifying Ethical Sources**: Leaders often draw from religious, spiritual teachings, family values, or admired leaders to shape their ethical framework.
• 🤔 **Four Essential Ethical Questions**: Every code of ethics should address whether actions break rules or laws, are fair, align with personal feelings, and match family/community values.
• 🧭 **Navigating Tough Situations**: A personal code of ethics acts as a compass, guiding leaders through complex and challenging decisions.
• 🚫 **Consequences of Unethical Actions**: Unethical decisions can erode trust, leading to a loss of motivation and potentially threatening initiatives or organizations.
• 💡 **Developing a Personal Code**: Having a personal code of ethics provides leaders with a moral framework, helping them make decisions that are not only legal but also ethical.
• 🌐 **Cultural Considerations in Ethics**: Ethical decisions can be influenced by cultural norms, such as the preference for hiring family members in some cultures.
• 👥 **Impact on Others**: Leaders must consider how their actions will be perceived by others and the potential impact on trust and motivation within a team or organization.
• 💼 **Real-World Ethical Dilemmas**: The script presents a scenario involving a hiring decision that illustrates the practical application of ethical considerations in a business context.
• 🤝 **Balancing Qualifications and Relationships**: Leaders sometimes face the challenge of balancing the need to hire qualified individuals with the expectations of maintaining good relationships, especially within family businesses.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the session with Chris Kayes?

The main focus is on ethical management and leadership, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in leadership roles.

What are the three learning objectives outlined in the session?

The learning objectives are to understand the importance of ethical considerations when leading and managing, to identify the sources of ethics, and to discuss the four questions every code of ethics should address.

Why is it crucial for leaders to consider their actions in the context of others?

Leaders need to consider their actions in the context of others because understanding how others will react or perceive those actions is important for guiding behavior and maintaining trust.

What is the significance of trust in leadership?

Trust is significant in leadership because when others perceive a leader's actions as ethical, it maintains their trust. A loss of trust can lead to a loss of motivation and can threaten initiatives or organizations.

How does a personal code of ethics assist leaders in making decisions?

A personal code of ethics guides leaders in making ethical decisions, even when they are unpopular, by providing a framework for navigating difficult choices and building confidence in the decision-making process.

What are some sources leaders turn to when creating a code of ethics?

Leaders may turn to religious or spiritual teachings, family values, or other admired leaders like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa for inspiration when creating a code of ethics.

What ethical dilemma did Brian face as a store manager?

Brian faced the dilemma of whether to hire a well-qualified candidate with outstanding references or to hire a less qualified family member of his boss, David.

What are the four questions Brian's code of ethics should answer?

The four questions are: (1) Am I breaking any rules or laws? (2) Is the action I am taking seen as fair by others? (3) How would I feel about myself if I took this action? (4) Is my action consistent with my values and community?

How did Brian apply the first question of his code of ethics to his hiring decision?

Brian applied the first question by checking if hiring a family member was illegal in his country, and since it was not, he concluded that he was not breaking any established rules or laws.

What was Brian's consideration for the second question of his code of ethics?

For the second question, Brian considered whether hiring the boss's relative would be seen as fair by others, acknowledging that it might be perceived as inconsistent and unfair despite being legal.

How did Brian's personal feelings influence his response to the third question of his code?

Brian felt that hiring the boss's family member was acceptable because he believed the job was easy to learn and the family member was motivated, even though a more qualified candidate was available.

What was Brian's reasoning for the fourth question regarding his values and community?

Brian reasoned that hiring the family member was consistent with his values and community norms, as many organizations, especially small family-run businesses, often hire family members.