Leadership And Ethics: Use The Internet To Research Someone

Leadership And Ethicsuse The Internet To Research Someone You Believ

"Leadership and Ethics" Use the Internet to research someone you believe to be an ethical leader of a company. Focus on his or her actions of ethical leadership that support your viewpoint. Next, define what you believe constitutes ethical leadership. Provide two (2) examples of the selected leader’s actions that fit your definition of ethical leadership. Evaluate the leadership of a leader in your organization, or prior organization, in terms of the seven (7) habits of ethical leaders. Determine one (1) area in which this leader could improve upon, and suggest one (1) action that this leader could take in order to do so. Note: Please do not identify workplaces or leaders by name.

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership and ethics are fundamental aspects of organizational success and sustainability. Ethical leadership entails guiding an organization with integrity, fairness, and a moral compass that aligns actions with ethical principles. This paper explores the concept of ethical leadership through the examination of an accomplished ethical leader, evaluates their actions against a personal definition of ethical leadership, assesses their adherence to the seven habits of ethical leaders, and proposes an area for improvement along with actionable recommendations.

Defining Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership can be defined as the demonstration of normative ethical principles by leaders, including honesty, fairness, respect, transparency, and accountability, which influence followers to act ethically and uphold organizational values. Such leaders prioritize moral considerations in decision-making, foster trust within their teams, and set a positive ethical tone for the entire organization. Ethical leadership is not merely about compliance but about cultivating an organizational culture rooted in integrity and social responsibility.

Research on an Ethical Leader

One notable example of an ethical leader is Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever. Polman is widely recognized for his commitment to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical business practices. Under his leadership, Unilever made significant strides toward environmental sustainability and social equity, emphasizing long-term stakeholder value over short-term profits. Polman’s approach aligns with the notion of ethical leadership because he consistently demonstrated integrity, transparency, and respect for both the environment and society.

Examples of Ethical Leadership Actions

1. Environmental Sustainability Initiatives: Polman spearheaded Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan, which aimed to reduce the company's environmental footprint significantly. This initiative reflected a commitment to stewardship and responsibility for future generations, exemplifying ethical leadership by prioritizing societal well-being over solely financial gains.
2. Corporate Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement: Polman promoted transparency in reporting social and environmental impact, encouraging open dialogue with stakeholders. His leadership demonstrated respect for stakeholder interests, adherence to truthfulness, and ethical accountability, fostering trust and confidence in the organization.

Evaluation Using the Seven Habits of Ethical Leaders

The seven habits of ethical leaders, as outlined by researchers, include integrity, humility, respect, accountability, fairness, empathy, and transparency. Analyzing Polman’s leadership through this lens reveals a strong alignment with these traits:

• Integrity: Polman’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility displayed moral consistency and honesty.
• Humility: He acknowledged the importance of collaboration and learning from others, emphasizing shared values over personal gain.
• Respect: His initiatives respected diverse stakeholder interests, including consumers, employees, and communities affected by business operations.
• Accountability: Polman held Unilever accountable for its social and environmental impacts, setting rigorous targets and reporting transparently.
• Fairness: His policies promoted equitable treatment across supply chains and stakeholder groups.
• Empathy: Polman demonstrated understanding of social and environmental issues, advocating for responsible business practices that benefit society at large.
• Transparency: Open communication about sustainability goals and progress reinforced trust and demonstrated ethical openness.

Area for Improvement and Suggested Action

Despite his exemplary leadership, an area where Polman could improve is in fostering more inclusive diversity initiatives within the company. While sustainability and social responsibility are central, enhancing diversity and inclusion can further strengthen the ethical fabric of the organization. To address this, Polman could implement targeted diversity programs and mentorship initiatives to promote representation across all levels of the organization. This proactive approach would create a more inclusive work environment and exemplify a broader scope of ethical leadership that encompasses social justice and equality.

Conclusion

Ethical leadership, characterized by integrity, transparency, and respect, is essential for fostering trust and sustainable success within organizations. Paul Polman’s leadership at Unilever provides a compelling illustration of these principles in action, setting a benchmark for responsible corporate conduct. Continual growth in areas like diversity and inclusion can further elevate his leadership legacy, demonstrating that ethical leadership is an evolving practice rooted in moral responsibility and commitment to societal betterment.

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