According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, ethics is defined as “moral principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior.” Therefore, in an ideal world, ethics should play the ultimate role when making a decision. If ethics are the principles which guides one’s behavior then, ideally, all decisions should be made entirely based on ethics. Unfortunately, such is not always the case.
A few problems arise when one tries to make an ethical decision, especially as a leader. First, ethics may mean different things to different people. For example, my religious and spiritual beliefs are the foundation for what I deem ethical. However, for someone else, ethics might be based on laws or their own personal understanding of what is
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Recognizing that not all decisions are ethical, one’s moral principles acts as a guide for their behavior and decision making. Therefore, ethics do (and should) play a major role in decision making.
As previously mentioned, my religious and spiritual beliefs shape my personal ethics. I grew up in a very Christian family (one grandfather was a pastor and the other is a deacon), so from a young age, I was instilled with a belief in God and His teachings, according to the Bible. As I get older, I am learning that a spiritual journey and relationship with God is one that is personal and cannot be easily taught or given by others. Therefore, I will admit that as I continue on my personal journey with God, my personal ethics are still being developed and shaped. Some behaviors that I may have thought were acceptable in the past, I no longer view the same. For example, I have a lot of passion for the organizations I am involved with, especially S.M.A.R.T, which is great as a leader. It is my passion which keeps me dedicated to the organization. However, because of this passion, when things are not going as I want them to, it might cause me to communicate in a way that is considered disrespectful to others. Either my tone, the loudness of my voice, or the things that I say have made others feel disrespected. Personally, I find disrespecting others to be unethical. Although I may not consciously decide to disrespect them, it is a result of my behavior. While, at one point, I
When someone is making an ethical decision they are going through a process of making this decision based on their moral principles. Ethics are principles of behaviour that inform people how to act in certain situations are based on one’s environment
My personal ethics have been formed through family influence, religious beliefs, life experiences, my internal reflection and the culture in which I was raised.
This paper will first discuss briefly what ethics are and provide the definition for an ethical issue. An ethical leadership issue is identified and explained for this author’s practice area. We will then identify and discuss key strategies for leadership that are pertinent to the ethical issue. Next, empirical evidence which supports the strategies discussed will be analyzed. Then, the impact and importance of the strategies will be stated. The final step will be to provide a conclusion to the reader that summarizes the content and strategies.
First, it is important to define ethics and how its components play an extensive role in our society. The term ethics is defined as “Moral principles that govern a person 's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.” (Oxford); ethical decisions are the ones that per se determine whether or not murder is wrong. Likewise, ethics consists of different ramifications and perspectives from many philosophers. Moreover,
My personal code of ethics is Equality and Sensibility. I believe in a predictable system that assures the well-being of all, especially those without power, is a just system. As a wife, mother, nurse and a member of a community, I strive to do the best I can in every aspect of my life. As a mother, I strive to be a good role model to my children and teach them the fundamentals of life. I strive to be able to give a solid foundation and an easy path to life whether it be school, finding who they want to be as they grow older and for a productive future. As a nurse, I strive for equality of care for every patient and to be able to be their voice when they are not
Guido describes ethics as “a process of determining right conduct from wrong” (para 2, p. 3). My personal view of ethics is along the same lines as this and has been instilled in me my entire life. My code of ethics includes respect for myself and others; honesty in my endeavors, graciousness in both my personal and professional lives, and accountable for my actions. I use nonmaleficence and beneficence in every aspect of my life. I also strive to honor the proverbial do unto others as they would do unto me.
These ethics are important to me and are essential part of my personal philosophy. These help in guiding my behavior and in making ethical decisions, especially when there are other tempting alternatives. I have never put these to paper but can see how they would be useful as a reference for when future issues arise. Some people may not think that I reveal all of these characteristics that I have listed, but I know in my heart that I am trying to apply all of them no matter the situation. I discovered that I want people to treat me as I would treat them, which would be with respect and dignity because it shows a form of love. “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7:12).
Life is a situation that we have very little control over the outcome. Unless a person has a strong set of personal values and principles that they follow. The outcome which they are hoping for may not be attainable. In years gone by i had few values and principles that i lived by and my life was less then i would ever want for any other so now i have and following my values and principles. Below are some of my personal Values and Principles that i live by in my daily life.
I was born in the late 1950s and spent my childhood in the 1960s and teen years in the 1970s. My upbringing was shaped very much, by how I was taught and raised. My parents were both members of a conservative religious organization and so with that said I learned this way of thought. We were raised to believe that the 10 commandments were the basis of all things right and wrong, that if we followed them our lives would be as God wanted. Not to mention our parents! As a child, we first believe all that our parents teach us. They are like God to us and must be right no questions asked. I had by then
What influences, if any, have pressured you to compromise those standards? Think of an experience you have had at work or school that tested your ethical standards. How did you resolve your dilemma? Now that time has passed, are you comfortable with the decision you made? If not, what would you do
In general everyone approaches an ethical situation differently depending on his or her priorities. When it comes to our ethical decisions we tend to approach them with normative basis. This sometimes includes our virtues, principles and the consequences that we might be able to handle. Often times, these normative basis go hand-in-hand and we tend to use them together when it comes to decision-making. This all depends on which of the three is more important to the individual.
In every area of society, ethics play a major role in decision making. Personal integrity and ethical choices can influence a successful life and career. Many societal views correlate ethics with integrity. Integrity is the single most important attribute a person can have; a trait that can be a powerful weapon. Compromising personal principles in any way impacts your ability to conduct life in a moral fashion. A person's core values reflect honesty and truth and focuses on the ability to make the right and just decision.
Ethics is something that is often talked about but we seem to hear about it being violated regularly through media. Merriam-Webster defines ethics as a set of moral principles (Marriam-Webster, 2013). School leaders have the Arkansas Code of Ethics to guide them in determining what is ethical behavior but even better than that, God has provided us with clear guidance as to what is ethical and what is not. Ethics is what we have when everyone or no one is looking. Leaders have an obligation given by God to be moral no matter what the situation. Leaders must stand up for what is right at all times.
Ethics is defined as “moral principles which govern a person’s behavior.” Ethics drive our decision making, especially within conflicts. Everyone is faced with ethical dilemmas. I know I’ve faced many, one of them was the time I watched my friend steal from a store. I could have stopped her actions just by telling her she was wrong, however, I did nothing. I had a responsibility to do something, and because I didn’t, I’m just as culpable. I was basically her accomplice in the crime. At that moment, I didn’t want to get my friend in trouble. She was more important to me than the right or wrong of the situation. My ethical principles were misguided.
Ethics refers to the principles or standards of human conduct that can be used by an individual to make decisions between alternative courses of action. Ethical choices occur in all lifestyles and typically involve a conflict where one person or group benefits at the expense of another. Business, for example, is often confronted with the decision to utilize technology to reduce its workforce and thereby raise its profits to benefit its shareholders, at the expense of eliminating the jobs of loyal employees who have been with the company for many years. One could make an argument for either course of action, and indeed there is no right or wrong answer, because either action might be deemed correct within its own objective.