Leadership Ch 5

Care-based thinking

"Do what you want others to do to you.", this approach applies the criterion of reversibility in determining the rightness of actions

Distortion of Consequences

A mechanism whereby people minimize the harm caused by their behavior—this can be a significant problem when people are insulated from the consequences of the decisions they make

Conventional level

A person's criteria for moral behavior are based on gaining other peoples' approval or behaving conventionally (as expected)

Post conventional level

A person's criteria for moral behavior are based on universal, abstract principles which may even transcend the laws of a particular society

Pre conventional level

A person's criteria for moral behavior are based primarily on self-interest such as avoiding punishment or being rewarded

Truth vs Loyalty ethical dilemmas

Acting honestly when doing so could compromise real or implied loyalty to others

Advantageous Comparison

Allows one to avoid self-contempt for behavior by comparing it to an even more heinous behavior by others

Principle-centered Leadership

An approach that postulates a fundamental interdependence between personal, interpersonal, managerial, and organizational levels of leadership

Attribution of Blame

An attempt to justify immoral behavior by claiming that it was caused by someone else's behavior and not their own

Dehumanization

Another way of avoiding moral consequences for our actions that allows an individual to treat others badly when they are assigned epithets that make them less than human

Rule-based thinking

Characterized as "following the highest principle or duty", determined by the kinds of standards everyone should uphold all the time, whatever the situation

Values

Constructs representing generalized behaviors or states of affairs that are considered by the individual to be important—values clearly affect behavior and choice mechanisms

Euphemistic Labeling

Dissociating behaviors from one's espoused moral principles by using "cosmetic" words to defuse or disguise the offensiveness of otherwise morally repugnant or distasteful behavior

Kidder's Resolution Principles

Ends-Based Thinking, Rule-Based Thinking, Care-Based Thinking

Justice vs Mercy ethical dilemmas

Following through with what is just or showing mercy and foregoing justice

Moral Justification

Involves reinterpreting otherwise immoral behavior in terms of a higher purpose, which can be seen most readily in the behaviors of combatants in war

Implicit Prejudice

Judgments about some group being systematically biased without the judger's awareness

Ends-based thinking

Known as utilitarianism in philosophy, this is premised on the idea that right and wrong are best determined by considering the consequences or results of an action

Authentic Leadership

Leadership that is characterized by exhibiting a consistency between values, beliefs, and actions

Servant Leadership

Leadership that stems in part from the teachings of Jesus that says that servanthood is the essence of worthy leadership

Short-term vs Long-term ethical dilemmas

Making decisions for short term benefit at the expense of long term benefit

What are some ways people avoid feeling guilty?

Moral Justification Euphemistic Labeling Advantageous Comparison Displacement of Diffusion Disregard or Distortion of Consequences Dehumanization Attribution of Blame

Diffusion of Responsibility

Morally reprehensible behavior is easier to engage in and live with because others are behaving in the same manner

Over claiming Credit

Overrating the quality of our own work and our contributions to the groups and teams we belong to

Displacement of Responsibility

People are able to violate personal moral standards by attributing responsibility to others (i.e., people who are merely carrying out orders)

What are the Developmental Levels and Stages of Moral Reasoning?

Preconventional, Conventional, Postconventional

Ethics

Principles of right conduct or a system of moral values

Individual vs Community ethical dilemmas

Protecting a person's confidentiality when that act may itself may pose threat to the larger community

In-Group Favoritism

Providing favors and acts of kindness or making exceptions that favor someone who is "like us"

Moral Reasoning

Refers to the process leaders use to make decisions about ethical and unethical behaviors

Ethical Dilemma

Situations where a person is forced to choose between two courses of action that could both be considered "right"

Conflicts of Interest

Situations where our judgment or decision could be potentially biased by personal involvement

Kidder's Four Ethical Dilemmas

Truth vs. Loyalty, Individual vs. Community, Short-term vs. Long-term, Justice vs. Mercury