Ethics and

Leadership
The Challenge of
the 21st Century
Definitions
Ethics
A system of moral principles or

values
The study of the general nature

of morals and moral choices

The rules of conduct
Morals
The principles of tight and
wrong in relation to human
behavior and character
Teaching correct behavior
Standards of right or just
behavior
A precept or general truth
The Difference
between Ethics and
Morals
Morality refers to standards
of behaviors by which people
are judged
Ethics encompasses the
system(s) of beliefs that
support a particular view of
morality
Norms
Written or unwritten laws,
codes, regulations, customs,
or standards created and
maintained to control
behavior constituting social
order.
Values
Subjective evaluations
of what one actually
likes, esteems, desires,
approves, enjoys, and
regards as important.
Culture
Aconceptual
descriptor for
shared norms and
values
Moral
Theories
Sets of
assumptions that
test and determine
right and wrong
behaviors
Utilitarianism
Ends based
Whatever produces the greatest good
for the greatest number is right
Examine the possible results and pick
the one that produces the most
blessings over the greatest range
Political Legislation
The Categorical
Imperative
Rule based
Immanuel Kant
Follow only the principles that
you want everyone else to follow
Fixed rules, obligation, and duty
Act in a way that your actions
could become a universal
standard
Virtue
Ethics

Care based
The Golden Rule
Test your behaviors by putting yourself
in anothers circumstances imagining
how you would feel if you were the
recipient rather than the perpetrator of
your behaviors. Empathetic living
Core Values
Truth
Loyalty
Individual rights
Community standards
Short-term consequences
Long-term consequences
Justice
Mercy
Dilemmas
Situations or circumstances
that involve choosing
between equally powerful
core values
Dilemma
Paradigms
Truth versus Loyalty
Individual versus
Community
Short-term versus Long-
term
Justice versus Mercy
Ethical/Moral
Leadership
What moral theory applies or
informs the leader best how to
decide or act?
What core values are involved in
the situation?
Do the people, circumstances,
and culture provide salience to
making a choice