Managing Ethical Behavior Analysis

Managing ethical behavior is a difficult problem that all organizations face. Practicing ethical behavior should be a workplace standard that is expected of the organization and each team member. Ethics involves the moral principles that an organization uses during the decision-making process and it should be evaluated to ensure that the proper culture is being established. Those organizations that fail to create an ethical atmosphere produce a negative work environment that is destined for failure. The ethical practices an organization uses can affect its reputation, efficiency, and profitability. Ethical behavior also helps to maintain a productive environment that focuses on quality and regulatory guidelines to attract shareholders and …show more content…
Values are one of the key components of effective leadership that influence ethical behavior, which can be combined into six categories as discussed by Charles D. Kerns, PHD, MBA. Wisdom and knowledge has a direct influence on an individual 's values as it is based on experiences, which aids in producing ethical decision-making (Charles D. Kerns). Self control is also a major component of ethical decision making as it requires a commitment to integrity, while avoiding unethical persuasion (Charles D. Kerns). Justice and fair guidance also influences values as it requires every individual to be treated fairly in regards to the effort they have exuded within the organization (Charles D. Kerns). Another major component that influences values is transcendence, which ensures that self-interest or selfishness is not the motivation behind organizational decision making (Charles D. Kerns). Love and kindness are components of individual values that allow a leader to communicate with their heart and show genuine compassion and goodwill toward others within the organization, which creates a positive atmosphere (Charles D. Kerns). Lastly, courage and integrity encompasses moral values as it compels a leader or individual to act in an ethical way with no regards for consequences, whether personal or organizational (Charles D. Kerns). An organization that uses these values consistently will …show more content…
Leaders must understand that their unethical actions and behaviors directly impact the actions and behaviors of their subordinates, which leads to a culture where ethics is not a priority (Span). Unethical leadership could include, abusive supervision, toxic leadership, and manipulation, which is seen as damaging and deliberate (Brown and Mitchell). Organizations that are lenient in regards to discipline are more prone to unethical behaviors, which may be evident in leaders or staff members. Therefore, an organization that intends to portray an ethical culture must discipline unethical employees quickly to discourage others from acting in the same manner (Brown and Mitchell). The behaviors of an unethical leader cost an organization in more ways than one to include: low or no productivity, lawsuit costs, absenteeism, and healthcare costs (Brown and Mitchell). Subordinates are also impacted in a negative way as their attitudes have been affected, they may have to take on extra tasks, and they may be defiant. Externally, other stakeholders such as clients may be affected by the unethical acts, which could cause organizational