Main Traits of Ethical Leader and How One Should Exhibit Ethical Conduct - Essay Example

Introduction

As new trends and issues arise in the business world, which may create an important burden to the companies and organizations, the need for proper ethical behavior within the organizations is vital. Here, the importance of ethics in the business world is superlative. The public scandals affected perception on how the companies can be misled in their activities and now greater promotion will not be enough to change these skeptical perceptions. At the same time, the modern companies are searching for the new ways to earn public trust. Here, ethical behavior created by the companies and the role of leaders in such behavior is critical (Salehi, Saeidinia & Aghaei, 2012). Ethical approach has now became necessary for corporate success and a positive corporate image and the main task of business leader in this approach is to conform to the basic rules of the society (Velentzas & Broni, 2010). This paper aims to discuss the main traits of ethical leader and explain how the one should exhibit ethical conduct. The paper will also reflect on the ethical lens and Develop own ethical framework.

Ethical leader

Ethical leadership is an art in persuading others to do things and conduct activities in accordance to certain corporate rules that are aligned with the rules of conduct in the society. Here, the role of leader is to support and serve the followers and share passion for leading that comes from the compassion (Mihelic, Lipicnik & Tekavcic, 2010). Such is Howard Schultz, the chairman, CEO and chief global strategies of Starbucks Corporation, an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, whose mastermind stands behind the astonishing growth of Starbucks. Bringing his innovative ideas in 1987, Schultz has delivered the unexpected results by opening four thousand new shops instead of seventeen for the period of five years (Lemus, et al., 2015). One of the innovative ideas of Schulz was connected to the evolution of corporate social responsibility, which has given the company new position in the market for its demonstration of balance among the economic prosperity and social integrity. Schultz’ long-term commitment towards CSR has given the company to place sixteen range in the list of Fortune Best Companies to work for in 2007. Additionally, such factors as position in the market, financial sustainability, work environment and meeting CSR requirements came along with the implementation of spirituality at work.

Schultz’ personality characteristics contributed to the company’s success. Thus, among the main traits of ethical leader Mihelic (2010), considers that concern over greater good and fulfillment of commitments are the most important. Schultz is determined to build better life for the people through providing them exceptional goods.

His perception of commitment can be seen in his energy and marketing skills. Among the other important traits of ethical leader is that the one encourages and develops others (Seidman, 2015). Thus, for Shultz, these traits were transformed in the thinking that friendly and efficient service of Starbucks shops would not only increase sales but would also boost loyalty toward the brand. For that purpose, Schultz has instituted training program to groom knowledgeable employees to work behind the counter (Howard Shultz, 2008). Bello (2012), suggests that ethical leader should be receptive and open, be honest and trustworthy with the behaviors of transactional leader. In that case, transactional traits are associated with setting ethical standards and holding followers accountable for such conduct. For that purpose, the CEO of Starbucks follows several principles, where he feels personal responsibility for hiring the right people in order to further ensure their accountability to company’s behavior and ethical conduct. In addition, Schultz’ honest and trustworthy behaviors are incorporated in taking care of his employees. Such care is not only about benefits, but in the opportunity which each employee obtains in Starbucks. Such care is also in effective communication with employees Chris (2015). Schultz’ ethical attributes include community-people orientation, which can also be seen through respect of cultures and encouragement of diversity. Thus, Chris (2015), states that the CEO of Starbucks understands that depending on location, each store should be designed accordingly and should be supplied with what better suits the places. An ethical leader is also a creator of stakeholder support and value of these stakeholders. Schultz sees that partnership with other organizations is useful in ensuring the stakeholders in the serious intentions of the company. Thus, the company joined forces with Barnes and Noble; it has also partnered with Apple.

Ethical lens inventory

Whether each individual makes ethical decisions based on personal values and perspectives, there is a need to understand the approach to such ethical decision or the variety of ethical lenses used by other individuals. For that purpose, Ethical Lens Inventory tool is helpful in understanding the values that impact choices. Thus, among the 36 pairs of statements several represent values and are the most important. For the Ethical Lens Inventory, my personal preferred lens is Reputation as I tend to listen to my intuition in order to determine what traits of character and virtues are best in serving quality. Among the core values, equality and sensibility are the most important to me and my main concern is the well-being of the whole community. I believe that assuring that the community treats its individuals right is the main task. I also believe that best results can be achieved through investigating and examination of each particular situation in its own context and it is of no good purpose to apply one-size-fits-all solutions. The ELI has showed that I can demonstrate courage in the face of obstacles and tend to avoid rush actions. It is also important to be surrounded by connections and friends.

My blind spot lens of the ELI displays my strong reliance on the virtues that are associated with different roles. However, such reliance can generate the risk of developing unrealistic role expectations.

In that case, too much depends on the particular role and there is a risk to forget that individuals are fallible in spite of their roles. Moreover, not all individuals who live fully into the virtues required by the role are able to resolve problems. For that reason, it is important to reconsider personal considerations about what virtues are and how people use them. Thus, one way to mitigate such blind spot is to consider whether an individual lives these virtues in both professional and personal lives. Following strict rules at work does not mean the one is same strict at home. If one is impartial at work because it is easier to make serious decisions, in personal life it is complicated to stay impartial and personal feelings will have advantage in resolving situation. The other way to mitigate my blind spot is to take the alternative view on the use of virtues by individuals. As I value equality and think that everyone lives out the positive character traits required to the role, it is not relevant to all the situations. Ethical person does not necessarily exemplify ethical behavior despite having sound character traits and habits. In addition, as I like to gather information about others in their roles, it is possible to better assess whether it is a problem of different use of virtues.

My core values are equality and sensibility. These are the foundation for my ethical behavior and are associated with the needs of the community to favor equality. I tend to behave polite and respect others, be kind and generous. I am moderate to what concerns others and their views. I also think that it is better to face the challenges and make decisions based on the considerate actions rather than to make them in a rush.

As I became more ethically mature and understood my weaknesses and strengths from the Ethical Lens Inventory, it is much easier to serve the community. I also think that throughout my professional life, it is appropriate to follow my intuition assuring at the same time that individuals are treated fairly. However, there is a need to rethink my one-size-fits-all approach to better assess individuals’ actions and personal decisions.

Ethical framework for ethical dilemma

As long as situations, in which the activity of business units leads to profit, the particular business actor may damage the society if not following business ethics. Following such statement, there is a need for individuals and business setting to make complicated choices or dilemmas. Ethical dilemma involves an actor to prove that one sacrifices a business interest through implementation of process of social concern. Thus, ethical dilemma can be a decision that requires a choice between rules or whether there is no rule and example to follow. Ethical dilemma can be related to the decision that requires certain courses of action, which are incompatible with each other. Thus, as stated (Hinks, 2016), Apple, Inc., an American multinational technology company has faced significant ethical dilemma as its supplier’s company reported about workers’ threaten suicide in protest over poor working conditions. Apple, which is known for its innovations and is proud of its leaders, who contribute greatly toward the standards of society, was threated by the ethical dilemma with Foxconn manufacturer, who could not ensure people to work under good work conditions.

While the company highlights its annual reports of financial progress, its aspects of corporate social responsibility are expected to be better. Despite Apple to influence the working conditions of Foxconn and assurances of the mass that it is committed to the highest standards of social responsibility, still employees are seriously aggrieved with their working conditions.

It is the primary task of leadership in creating trust and cultivating standards for all the involved participants of the working process. It is the role of leaders in creating and promoting moral and ethical stances that also need to be consistently clarified to all stakeholders, suppliers and employees. In case with Apple and Foxconn relationship, the American technological company should not ignore ethics of its stakeholder and be focused on not only financial merits of results, but also on the increasing its influence on the suppliers.

One of the solutions to the situation is that the company needs for more than ethical tokenism. As its response, Apple has represented the world a list of its suppliers and joined Fair Labor Associations to prove its fair intentions in social responsibility. The other way to solve the particular situation is to conduct constant check of the suppliers, especially those who made the employees to experience inappropriate treatment. Having strong lenses of equality and sensibility, I think that the most appropriate solution for Apple is to ensure that its main stakeholders, the producers and manufacturers follow equal and fair conditions for their employees. I believe that it should be Apple’s main task as the world leader of innovative technology to keep an eye open on all aspects of products development. It is also Apple’s duty to ensure that its consumers are as happy in reaching their technological devices, as employees who make them.