Page 32 - The Edge2023 - Spring

Here’s How and Why to Be an Ethical Leader
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The article focused on a survey of 1,200 non-
management employees which determined that
people do not quit organizations — they quit bosses,
Mee said, adding,. “People are searching for a sense
of purpose and meaning in their work, no matter
what that work is. People want to be respected as
whole human beings with a life outside of work,
and people will do almost anything for a supervisor
or manager who respects and appreciates them.”
There is no right way to do the
wrong thing."
– Brian Mee
Actually, 7% said they quit because a supervisor or
manager did not say good morning to them. “You
can’t always do that every morning, but it is nice,”
Mee said. “The Number One reason people quit
their job – they felt their boss did not appreciate
them.”
The major things people look for in an organization
are work/life balance, meaningful work, and a
better relationship with their bosses, Mee noted.
He identified eight ways that an organization can
encourage unethical behavior, according to an
article by Michael Wade on Leadership, Ethics,
Management, and Life. They are: hooting bearers
of bad news; labeling dissenters as incompetents
and malcontents; letting the end justify the means;
seeking to be right instead of doing right; justifying
questionable behavior by noting that everybody
does it or that the competition did it first; punishing
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technical violations more severely than ethical
violations; believing that the top decision-makers
are so bright that if they favor a course of action,
then that course of action must be ethical, and
valuing toughness over integrity.
The solution, according to Mee, is having leaders
with virtues, morals, integrity and ethical character.
“That’s what we’re looking for,” he said. “Ethical
leadership starts with making right decisions.”
Before making a major decision involving funding
or personnel, Mee said you should ask yourself
if it is legal, balanced, and how will it make me
feel about myself – will it make me proud? Would
I feel good if my decision was published in the
newspaper?
Regarding legality, if it violates ethical or civil
law or district regulations, don’t go there, Mee
said. “If it’s a gray area – we don’t need gray areas
with company policy,” he said.
Is the decision balanced and fair to all concerned
in the short term and the long term? “Are you fair
when you hire or fire somebody?” Mee said. “If
that’s the case, it’s an easy decision.”
Mee cited five principles of ethical leadership
from an article by Kenneth Blanchard titled The
Power of Ethical Management:
• “Purpose: I see myself as being an ethical
sound person. I let my conscience be my guide.
No matter what happens, I am always able to
face the mirror, look myself straight in the eye,
and feel good about myself.”
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THE EDGE SPRING 2023