Personal Assessment of Values, Leadership, and Ethics - Case Study Example

Personal Assessment of Values, Leadership, and Ethics Contents Contents 1 Personal mission and life balance goals 2 PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL MISSION STATEMENT 4 LIFE BALANCE GOALS 5 PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL LIFE BALANCE GOALS 5 Personal definition of ethics, leadership, service and character 6 Leadership 6 Ethics 6 Character 6 Service 7 Ethical issues facing organizations and leaders 7 Case study 9 Summary 11 References 12 Personal assessment of values, leadership and ethics Values and ethics are held in different perspectives by each individual. The perceptions of right and wrong, religious beliefs and individual attitudes are shaped by their experiences and environment in which they live. I strongly believe that ethics and values relate to the inner convictions that drive human actions and reactions. In my case ethics correspond to integrity in actions and behavior, both at workplace and outside. Adopting highly ethical practices can be desirable in organizations; however, it may not always be effective. The decisions based on ethics are often viewed as a one-sided perspective that does not take into account the other person’s views. In my opinion, good leaders are not born with the leadership quality; they have to be nurtured, trained and also learn the qualities to be able to lead. If any one has the zeal, strong will, and desire, he/she can be a good leader. Leadership is a quality through which a person or a group of persons can guide, help, guide, in order to deal to with a particular situation or reaching an aim. To my understanding, leadership qualities are acquired; it can not be merely passed on from generation to generation or comes on its own. A continuous process of self development, study, learning, training and experience is required in order for the leader to be successful and good. Leaders are the first and foremost representative of the team and also the inspiration and support. I believe that there are certain things which a leader has to abide by, posses certain qualities and should have the information of the same, For an effective leadership skill a leader has to be aware of the surroundings, has to think out of the box and try to improvise their actions and thoughts, day in and out. Personal mission and life balance goals My Life Roles in Seven Areas: How Would You Like To Be Described In This Role? Spiritual Well Being To be a servant of God, faithful, and honest. Mental Well Being Intelligent, creative and ready for challenge. Physical Well Being Active strong and stay in good shape (healthy) Relationships/Family Helpful, caregiver, responsible, good lover. Education/Career Have the best education background and try to achieve my goals and reach the summit, have good knowledge about everything as possible. Finances/Stewardship Good financial manager and resourceful for who need help. Service/Philanthropy Devote myself in the service of others and unrelenting servant leader. Who do I desire to become as an organizational leader? Leadership within any context, in my opinion must encompass a team based approach that involves others in decision making and guiding the team to the desired goals and objectives. Organizations can only flourish when leaders provide the workforce with the guiding force and motivation to deliver to the best of their capabilities and join hands to meet the defined targets and goals. My desire is to be an effective organizational leader who can coordinate and communicate with his team members to provide solutions and alternatives that work best in given situations. As a leader I want to promote respect for culture and diversity at workplace, motivate and inspire the workforce for nurturing a positive work environment. I believe that this can be suitably achieved by rewarding those who deserve to be rewarded to appreciate and acknowledge their efforts. What do I desire for the members of my organization? Team work and communication are integral aspects defining the effectiveness of work processes and this can be achieved only through group cohesion. Members of the workforce need to communicate interact and develop their existing potentials through adequate training and development in order to promote and support organizational goals. As a leader I desire that members of my organization be honest, ready for anything, fully knowledgeable, and utilize their full potential towards the goals and objectives of the organization. How would I like to serve as an agent of change in my professional role? An effective leadership practice begins with the process of inspiring and providing others with an example of the kind of employee the organization would like to have. As a leader, I would like to be a role model and example to my workforce that every one would want to follow and emulate. This can be achieved through increased interaction, understanding and cooperation of individuals within teams. I would adopt a more participative and interactive approach that enables others to voice their concerns and discuss their issues freely with their peers and managers. PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL MISSION STATEMENT My personal/professional mission is to – Create and enable a work environment that helps the workforce in recognizing their skills, developing their potentials, and delivering the best of their capabilities. I will work towards developing my leadership skills and managerial competencies to work with passion and dignity, provide a role mode to others, and adopt a servant leader approach to win the respect of my team members with the goal to develop my organization. LIFE BALANCE GOALS Personal Goals (jot list) Professional Goals (jot list) I will respect any opinion. I will advance my professional skills. I will maintain my health and fitness. I will improve my leadership skills. I will educate myself as much as possible. I will treat co-workers as I treat myself I will over my help if needed. I will put my work in the top of my duties. I will have financial plan to have good life I will approach the academic degree that I seek PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL LIFE BALANCE GOALS I will try doing the best I could no matter the cost. I will do things according to the priority. I will try to be the best father, brother and son. I will face my mistakes and learn how to avoid it in the future. I will not regret anytime I spend learning new thing. I will try to balance between my work and family needs. I will keep helping others as long as I can. Personal definition of ethics, leadership, service and character Leadership Leadership, in my opinion, reflects the ability of the person to achieve any vision and direct the capabilities of the organization in meeting these goals. Such abilities must have the scope to influence others and provide an example to others in the workplace on dealing and managing issues and challenges. I strongly identify the concept with Dwight’s definition that views leadership as an art of getting a work done by someone by making him realize that he always wanted to do it. Ethics Ethics reflect the ability to identify the right and the wrongs in any situation. This is closely linked to personal values and beliefs that shape the opinions of individuals and governing them to adopt certain ethical practices. My definition of ethics closely reflects the theoretical explanation provided by William (2005) when he observed that the ethical behavior of an individual indicates the linkage between his moral values and society standards of acceptable behavior. The extent to which an individual’s moral behavior coincides with the society standards is important in defining his ethical principles and beliefs. Character Character refers to an individual’s nature and qualities that define him from the rest in the crowd. While each individual is different from the other, the extent to which a specific quality or set of features define his actions and reactions is an important indicator of his character. The natural qualities possessed by a person define his character and enable others to judge his nature. Abraham Lincoln had stated “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” This holds much truth since power and authority can bring out the worst or best in individuals. Hence my personal definition of character would be the qualities that help individuals deal with situations and people in different circumstances. Service Service refers to giving or delivering something of value to others in lieu of profit or for non-profit motives. The concept of service is distinct from philanthropy in the sense that “philanthropy refers to giving (or perhaps giving and service both) and is therefore distinct conceptually from the nonprofit sector. Philanthropy is giving, and nonprofit groups are entities that received that giving.” (Robert & Moody, 2008) The true measurement of service is determined by the extent to which it meets the needs and requirements of the taker or benefactor. Ethical issues facing organizations and leaders Ethics literally means –the laid down principals of proper conduct. Now days mostly everyone, including the top businessmen are also implementing the principals of ethics in their organization, which earlier they were reluctant on. Everyday they are trying to venture some new methods of dwelling ethics in to practice. The most successful businessmen are linked one common platform of ideas, they are much concerned to incorporate ethics and values and transfer the knowledge of ethics and values. Everyone is related to each other , where everyone has different role, some are customers, employees, or are involved in the process of manufacturing the product to the delivering to the product to the door steps or any retailer. Some are shareholders or business partner also. The big brand names like Pepsi, Apple are also trying to bring about the values and principles of ethics and values in people’s day to day life. For example, Pepsi has initiated flexible working hours, thus generating more employment and Apple has launched i-pod, so as to make the life of the people more enjoyable. So to my understanding the correlation between stakeholders and the motives of the companies can safely be linked. For the training and preparing the business leaders to take the role of leadership effectively has an importance in resolving the issues of today, to be able to chalk out the answers to future and anticipated issues. It would also serve for business growth and prosperity. To my knowledge companies have already started an initiative to set up a committee, group and the regulatory body to follow, see and observe the codes of ethics and ethics task forces. The businesses and the companies have actually shifted their focus to improve their relation with the various shareholders and initiating various programs for exercising human right, work family balance, voluntary help toward the community, better customer service, product safety etc. I strongly believe that many leaders are desperately trying to put the ideas and values of ethics in their day to day life and culture. It aids in improving the overall performance of the organization as well. They have agreed upon that this the ultimate thing which brings positive attitude and even if it goes little less than the organization’s profit agenda, but the qualities like being honest, respectful towards others, trustable, and someone whom others can depend upon, and responsible are certain qualities which are much more than working only towards the company’s profit and self interest. According to Paine (2003), some of the reasons for the transition of focus to following ethics has some reasons like related to market controls, managing the risk, the organization and running of organization and contribution of one’s to the society. Case study The decision making process within organization and team can be a complex and challenging issue. Often the clash or conflicts of interest between organizations and its stakeholders comprising of employees, shareholders, customers and suppliers pose a difficult situation that creates a barrier in the process of effective decision making. A decision or a particular solution is seen and reached to so as to safeguard the interest of both. The organization as well as the person’s good is seen adhered to. But to my belief at times, certain solution or decisions are also taken which cater to protect the interest and the goods, the rights of the people. But still there is a problem or the dilemma always persists when the common interest and the ethics in organizations are difficult to abide, keeping both the organizational as well the personal interest safe and which would promote the interest of both. In my view the idea of practicing values and ethics in real terms is not very comfortable as the certain situations arise where we have to decide between our emotion and practical sense. For example, in an organization, where a decision has to be taken in terms of choosing or favoring between their friends or the company, or if after examining it’s found that a particular product will have some safety concerns, after they have already been dispatched in the market. In this situation where huge money is involved in the remaking of the product is involved, many would have a temptation of remaining silent. A company’s decision taking committee may in order to please the shareholders may actually be ruining the future of the company, in the long run. Using the PISCO model conceptualized by Edward deBono (decision-guide, 2010), the purpose of the decisions in this case study was to 1) evaluate collateral offered by the loan applicant 2) fund raising for charity The evaluation can be done by the bank paying for the on-site visit for evaluation and the fund raising charity can come from bank’s funds. In both situations, the bank loses out some money on these activities and thereby lowering its profit margins. However, asking the customers to pay is not an ideal solution in the long run as customers may seek other alternatives to their banking needs. On weighing the alternatives, both the decisions relating to taking payments from customers can affect the credibility of the bank in the long run, thus affecting its customer retention policies. On the other hand, Shelby faces similar conflicts between her personal sense of ethics and corporate decisions. Individual ethics and values may be completely different from those of the organization and hence can create conflicts. The organization is driven by stakeholder interests and profit making motives while taking decisions. Ethical considerations often take a backseat in such circumstances and money making incentives prove more powerful than individual values and opinions. Shelby has the option to accept the decision and carry on with her work without showing her disappointment or to approach the senior management with her problems and try to change the decisions. There is another option left to her and that is quitting her job which does not make sense, since this kind of situation can occur in any other organization. The first option of ignoring the conflicts can result in frustration in the long run. The second option is more feasible and it may allow her to persuade the management from taking such decisions that do not safeguard customer interests. Summary The reflections and observations made in this paper have helped me in refreshing my thoughts and opinions on leadership, service, ethics and character. I realize the significance of adopting a balanced approach in leadership and moral values in order to develop my inner potentials of managing and running an organization. The case study helped me in understanding the practical challenges related to ethical values and character conflicts that may pose problems in professional life. The solution to these issues lie in following your heart and taking the right course of action that helps one in displaying their true qualities with utmost conviction and confidence that makes for a good leader. Such qualities can never go unnoticed and success is bound to follow such individuals. References Maxwell, J. C. (1993). Developing the leader within you. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Odom, L. (2010). Leadership Ethics. United States: Xlibris Corporation. Dwight, E. (n.d.). Best Leadership Quotes... Retrieved march 26, 2010, from FAMOUS QUOTES & QUOTATONS: http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/leadership-quotes.html William, S. (2005). Business Ethics. SAM Advanced Management Journal , 1-4. Watts, J. C. (2005-2010). Character Quotes to Highlight the Importance of a Great Character. Retrieved march 26, 2010, from Great Inspiational Quotes: http://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/character-quotes.html Robert, P., & Moody, M. (2008). Understanding Philanthropy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Decision-guide. (2010). PISCO – decision making models. Retrieved on Nov 15 2011 from http://decide-guide.com/pisco/ Read More