Examine The 5 Ethics Models By Van Wart's Book Dynamics ✓ Solved

Examine The 5 Ethics Models Given By Van Warts Book Dynamics Of Lead

Examine the 5 ethics models given by Van Wart's book: Dynamics of Leadership in Public Service (2011) and comment on their attributes. The five models include: 1) The basic integrity model of the virtuous leader, 2) The ethical leader as moral manager, 3) The ethical leader as authentic, 4) The ethical leader as a spiritual mentor to followers, clients, and constituents, and 5) The ethical leader as a transforming agent of change for the common good. Additionally, critique what it means to be a spiritual-servant leader in public service, evaluate whether ethical codes are sufficient for Christian leaders, and consider if Christian leaders bear higher biblical moral obligations.

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Introduction

Leadership in public service is profoundly influenced by ethical principles, which serve as the foundation for responsible and morally upright conduct. Van Wart’s (2011) framework delineates five distinct models that elucidate the multifaceted nature of ethical leadership within governmental and public organizational contexts. This essay critically examines these five ethical models, explores the concept of spiritual-servant leadership in public service, evaluates the sufficiency of ethical codes for Christian leaders, and discusses the biblical moral obligations that Christian leaders may hold above secular standards.

The Five Ethical Models by Van Wart

1. The Basic Integrity Model of the Virtuous Leader

The integrity model emphasizes the importance of personal virtues such as honesty, consistency, and moral uprightness. The virtuous leader embodies integrity, serving as a moral exemplar whose actions align with ethical standards. The core attribute of this model is unwavering adherence to moral principles, fostering trust and credibility among followers and stakeholders. This model is rooted in moral philosophy emphasizing character development and moral rectitude (Hersh & Ingram, 2012).

2. The Ethical Leader as Moral Manager

This model portrays leaders as actively managing ethical conduct within their organizations. Moral managers develop and enforce ethical policies, facilitate ethical training, and establish a culture of ethical accountability. They serve as role models and ensure that organizational values align with ethical standards. This managerial approach emphasizes proactive oversight and organizational integrity (Brown & Treviño, 2006).

3. The Ethical Leader as Authentic

Authentic leadership focuses on genuineness, transparency, and consistency between a leader’s beliefs and actions. Authentic leaders are true to their values, which fosters trust and inspires followers to act ethically. This model underscores self-awareness, relational transparency, and a balanced moral perspective as essential attributes (Walumbwa et al., 2008).

4. The Ethical Leader as a Spiritual Mentor

This model highlights the role of leaders as spiritual guides who influence followers not only professionally but also morally and spiritually. A spiritual mentor provides ethical guidance rooted in religious or spiritual principles, fostering moral development, purpose, and integrity among followers, clients, and constituents. This role aligns with values of compassion, humility, and moral nurturing (Van Wart, 2011).

5. The Ethical Leader as a Transforming Agent of Change for the Common Good

This model characterizes leaders who seek societal transformation aimed at achieving the common good, emphasizing social justice, equity, and moral purpose. Transformational leaders inspire followers to transcend self-interest for the collective benefit, often advocating for systemic change rooted in ethical considerations (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999).

Critique of the Spiritual-Servant Leadership in Public Service

Spiritual-servant leadership combines spiritual values and servant leadership principles, emphasizing humility, altruism, and moral integrity. In public service, this leadership style promotes ethical stewardship, social justice, and a focus on servant-hood rather than personal gain (Greenleaf, 1977). While it fosters trust, loyalty, and moral development among followers, critics argue that its reliance on spiritual and moral virtues may be challenging in secular or pluralistic settings, where diverse belief systems exist. Nevertheless, spiritual-servant leadership aligns closely with the ethical models of authentic and transformational leadership, emphasizing moral integrity and the pursuit of the common good.

Are Ethical Codes Sufficient for Christian Leaders?

While ethical codes provide essential guidelines for conduct, they may not fully encompass the depth of moral responsibility borne by Christian leaders. Ethical codes function as minimum standards, often emphasizing compliance rather than moral motivation. Christian leaders are tasked with higher moral standards rooted in biblical teachings, such as love, humility, and justice, which transcend secular ethical codes (Wright, 2006). Indeed, reliance solely on secular ethical standards may neglect the spiritual dimension of moral decision-making and the personal holiness that characterizes Christian leadership.

Do Christian Leaders Have a Higher Biblical Moral Obligation?

According to biblical teachings, Christian leaders carry a higher moral obligation derived from scriptures such as James 3:1, which warns against many becoming teachers, as they will be judged more strictly. The biblical model emphasizes accountability before God, moral purity, and serving others selflessly (Matthew 20:26-28). Christian leaders are called to exemplify Christ-like virtues—love, humility, integrity—and to act according to biblical moral principles. Consequently, their obligations extend beyond organizational policies to an ultimate divine standard, demanding a moral excellence that surpasses secular expectations (Hays, 2008).

Conclusion

Van Wart’s five ethical models offer a comprehensive understanding of leadership morality in public service, emphasizing integrity, management, authenticity, spiritual mentorship, and societal transformation. When integrated with the concept of spiritual-servant leadership, they promote ethical behavior rooted in moral virtues and spiritual values. For Christian leaders, ethical codes serve as vital guidelines, but biblical moral obligations impose higher standards that challenge leaders to embody Christ-centered virtues. Ultimately, biblical leadership entails a divine moral responsibility that guides leaders beyond secular ethics toward a life modeled on biblical teachings.

References

• Bass, B. M., & Steidlmeier, P. (1999). Ethical leadership and authentic Transformational leadership. Leadership Quarterly, 10(2), 181-217.
• Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595-616.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
• Hays, R. B. (2008). The moral vision of the New Testament: Community, cross, new creation. HarperOne.
• Hersh, R. H., & Ingram, J. M. (2012). Virtue ethics and leadership: A contemporary perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(3), 325-339.
• Wright, N. T. (2006). Doing justice: A prayerful reflection on moral living. InterVarsity Press.
• Van Wart, M. (2011). Dynamics of leadership in public service. Routledge.
• Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic leadership: Development and validation of a theory-based measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89-126.