The CEO Of ExxonMobil Darren W. Woods Has Over 30 Years Of E

The Ceo Of Exxonmobil Darren W Woods Has Over 30 Years Of Global In

The CEO of ExxonMobil, Darren W. Woods, has over 30 years of global industry experience. The five core values that Exxon lives by are Integrity, Care, Courage, Excellence, and Resilience. Mr. Woods, during the COVID response, changed gears and understood the company needed to show resilience during this time. He knew that society was under attack by the virus which could have cost the company millions of dollars in revenue. Mr. Woods kept the company's operation moving forward instead of shutting down like most companies did during this time. He had employees working and living at refineries, plants, and offshore platforms by providing COVID safeguards to protect each worker in the field. He knew that not keeping the business going would lead to an economic problem for the company.

His resilience to keep pushing the company forward, adapting to the crisis, and getting workers to change how they work helped the business stay operational. Keeping the financial books accurate and providing those safeguards for all workers in the field and in the office balances the needs of the business to sustain growth for the company worldwide. If company leaders lacked ethical and moral leadership, particularly in areas such as integrity, care, resilience, and demonstrating compassion, the company could face significant issues related to employee trust, safety, and organizational culture. Leaders need to exemplify patience, humility, resilience, and compassion to foster a corporate culture rooted in ethics.

In a hypothetical scenario where leaders lack moral and ethical guidance, I would recommend implementing policies to prioritize employee well-being over short-term profits. Leaders should demonstrate transparency, accountability, and compassion by actively listening to employees’ concerns and providing support during crises. They should also work to build trust by making ethical decisions that benefit both the organization and society at large. This approach aligns with research indicating that ethical leadership improves organizational performance, stakeholder trust, and long-term sustainability (Brown & Treviño, 2006; Palanski & Yammarino, 2011).

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ExxonMobil’s leadership under Darren W. Woods exemplifies core principles of ethical and moral leadership, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Woods’ focus on resilience, integrity, and safety reflects a deep commitment to ethical decision-making. During the pandemic, Woods prioritized employee safety by implementing COVID safeguards, ensuring continuous operations, and avoiding shutdowns that could negatively impact both society and the company’s economic stability. This demonstrates a leader who recognizes the moral obligation to protect employees and serve the broader community, consistent with the core value of Care.

Analyzing Woods’ leadership through the lens of the eight elements of ethical leadership—honesty, fairness, respect, compassion, responsibility, transparency, humility, and integrity—reveals a comprehensive ethical stance. Woods showed honesty by communicating openly about the company’s challenges and responses. He demonstrated fairness by prioritizing the safety and well-being of employees across global operations. Respect was evident in the way he adapted operations to safeguard workers’ health. Compassion was central in his efforts to protect employees during the pandemic, while responsibility was reflected in maintaining operational continuity to support economic stability.

Transparency manifested in the company's efforts to keep stakeholders informed about safety measures and operational adjustments. Humility was exemplified in Woods’ acknowledgment of the challenges posed by the pandemic and the need for adaptive leadership. Lastly, integrity was reflected in the company’s commitment to safety and ethical standards, even amid economic pressures. These leadership behaviors reinforce an ethical organizational culture that promotes trust and shared values among employees and external stakeholders.

However, if ExxonMobil’s leadership lacked ethical and moral principles in any of these areas, the consequences could be detrimental. For instance, neglecting employee safety or prioritizing profits over ethical considerations could erode trust and damage reputation. In such cases, I would recommend that the company adopt a holistic approach to ethical leadership, emphasizing the importance of moral conduct at all levels. This involves fostering a culture of accountability and ethical awareness, providing ongoing ethics training, and embedding moral decision-making into corporate governance frameworks (Trevino, Hartman & Brown, 2000).

Furthermore, promoting a leadership style rooted in humility and compassion can enhance organizational resilience. Leaders should be encouraged to demonstrate empathy and humility during decision-making processes, recognizing employees’ efforts and vulnerabilities. Cultivating ethical leadership not only improves moral climate but also enhances organizational outcomes by aligning corporate actions with societal values. This approach is crucial for multinational corporations like ExxonMobil, operating in complex and diverse environments, where ethical standards directly influence stakeholder trust and long-term sustainable growth (Cortes-Mejia, Cortes & Herrmann, 2022).

References

• Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595-616.
• Cortes-Mejia, S., Cortes, A. F., & Herrmann, P. (2022). Sharing Strategic Decisions: CEO Humility, TMT Decentralization, and Ethical Culture. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(1), 241-260.
• Palanski, M., & Yammarino, F. (2011). Integrity and leadership: A review and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics, 103(3), 357-371.
• Trevino, L. K., Hartman, L. P., & Brown, M. (2000). Moral(personal)values, moral organizational culture, and career consequences. Academy of Management Journal, 43(6), 978-990.
• Other scholarly sources as required for comprehensive support.