Northouse, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Lecture Notes
Chapter 12: Addressing Ethics in Leadership
Chapter Summary
I. Leadership Ethics Explained
II. Character of the Leader
III. Actions of the Leader
IV. Goals of the Leader
V. Honesty of the Leader
Chapter Objectives
1. Explain the concept of ethical leadership.
2. Discuss leadership ethics in practice by reviewing the six factors related
to ethical leadership.
4. Discuss the three principles related to actions of ethical leaders.
6. Examine ethics across cultures
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Lecture Notes
• What does it take to be an ethical leader?
I. Leadership Ethics Explained
A. Leadership has a moral dimension because leaders influence others
B. High-profile scandals raise people’s suspicion of public figures
C. Definition: Ethical leadership is the influence of a moral person who moves others
to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons.
D. Six factors related to ethical leadership
II. Character of the Leader: Fundamental aspect of ethical leadership.
A. Definition: The disposition and core values of the leader.
B. Strong character means the person is seen as a good human being
C. Character can be developed
D. The nation’s schools have seen a growing interest in character education.
E. Six pillars of character
1. Trustworthiness
3. Responsibility
5. Caring
6. Citizenship
III. Actions of the Leader
A. Definition: The ways a leader goes about accomplishing goals
2. Machiavelli: “The ends justify the means”
B. Example of Abu Ghraib prison
2. Goal of national security was legitimate, but means were unjustified and
criminal
C. Almost everything a leader does has ethical overtones.
D. Three principles of ethical action
1. Showing respect
3. Showing justice
4. Ex. Richard Lee benching his son in Little League game
IV. Goals of the Leader
A. Definition: Using goals to influence others ethically
2. Moral goal: Mother Teresa helping the poor
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
B. Identifying and pursuing just and worthy goals are the most important steps an
ethical leader will undertake.
1. Leader must take into account the interests of others
3. Ex. President of insurance company encouraging employees to support
National Kidney Foundation
V. Honesty of the Leader
A. Definition: Telling the truth
B. Dishonesty is a form of lying
1. Dishonesty creates distrust; leader’s impact is compromised
2. Dishonesty has a negative effect on leader’s interpersonal relationships;
suggests manipulating others is acceptable
C. Honesty is more than truth telling
2. Complete truth can be hurtful
4. Ex. Dan Johnson relocating to Chicago from Michigan
VI. Power of the Leader
A. Definition: Capacity to influence or affect others
B. French and Raven’s five bases of social power
1. Referent power: Leader is role model
3. Legitimate power: Leader has formal job title
5. Coercive power: Leader can punish
C. Power can be used in constructive or destructive ways
2. Constructive power: Demanding track coach
3. Key is to be constantly vigilant and aware of how one’s leadership is
affecting others
VII. Values of the Leader
A. Definition: Ideas, beliefs, and modes of action that people find worthwhile or
desirable
B. James MacGregor Burns’ 3 kinds of leadership values
2. Modal values: responsibility, accountability
3. End values: justice, community
C. Leader and follower values may not be the same
1. Challenge is for leader to be true to his/her own values while being
sensitive to others’ values
2. Ex. Allocating resources in social services sector
4. Ex. Lance Armstrong Foundation
VIII. Culture and Leadership Ethics
A. World is globally connected and leaders will likely work with individuals from
different cultures.
B. Different cultures have different rules of conduct and ethical views.
1. Nordic cultures place more value on a leader’s character and integrity
than do Middle Eastern cultures.
2. Bribery is prohibited in the U.S. but a common practice of doing
business in some other countries.
IX. Leadership Snapshot: Warren Buffett and Bill & Melinda Gates, Giving Pledge.
a. Started with three billionaires promising to give away half their fortune during
their lifetimes.
b. Now encompasses more than 100 other super-rich families promising to do the
same thing.
c. The Giving Pledge lead by Bill and Melinda Gates & Warren Buffett.
d. The Pledge is simple: the signers have to be billionaires and they have to promise
to give away at least half of their fortunes during their lifetimes.
e. The Pledge is less about the financial promise than a public statement meant to
inspire others.
X. Case Study