Instructor Resource
Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e
SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019
Discussion Questions
Chapter 15: Ethical Leadership
1. Are ethical individuals more (or less) likely to be better leaders? Use the theories you
have learned in this book to support your arguments.
• Trait and skills approaches—students may argue that ethical (or unethical) are
more (or less) determined, sociable, have higher levels of interpersonal or
conceptual skills, and so forth.
• Style approach—students may think ethical leaders may be more able to be either
• LMX theory—students may think that ethical leaders are more likely to understand
relationships and therefore, better able to establish high quality relationships with
their employees.
2. What are some of the negative consequences of having an unethical leader?
Instructor Resource
Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e
SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019
Students may use examples from business scandals, government leaders, and so forth. The
instructor can challenge students by asking about different, and perhaps less visible, leaders.
What about boy scout leaders who are unethical? Team leaders in school projects who are
unethical?
Preparation Questions
1. Why should leaders be ethical?
2. Do you think ethical leaders are likely to be less successful in organizations? Why or
why not?