What are the main themes of the article/case?
The article’s main themes revolve around the key elements that shape the development of an organization’s ethical culture. the case highlights the importance of the practices and policies reflecting some basic ethical values. The other elements include implementing a structured and formal program that governs the ethical considerations of the staff members, the mechanism to report and manage ethical issues is part of this structure. The article also highlights that the foundation of an ethical culture is adherence and practice of the same by an ethical leadership. The article explains these themes in detail in order to unfold ethical culture.
What challenge, problem, or opportunities is the article/case attempting to respond to?
The article is attempting to respond to the problems caused by members of an organization engaging in unethical behavior. Acts such as money laundering, bribery, insider trading, discrimination and others create an unethical work place culture. These acts create an unhealthy environment where the ethical people are unable to work comfortably among the unethical. The organization in question is affected by the diversion of physical, monetary and human resources. At the end of the day, the organization fails as it is brought down by the scandals, theft of cash and loss of reputation. Misconduct also results in a high turnover of employees. The ethical employees are unable to fight the circumstances and the unethical ones eventually escape to avoid legal or internal circumstances. The article also targets an opportunity to create organizational change within such troubled institutions.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
What are the solutions, resources, or answers provided?
The proposed solutions include policies and application of positive practices and processes. One of the main resources that are to be utilized is policy. Policy can become an integral part of the organization’s operations. The leadership can be at the fore front of operations because they are responsible for policy enforcement. The new employees can be oriented by application of policy. Appraisal can also be used to monitor application and progress. Positive practices can be encouraged by enhancement of work conditions. The environment also favors the application of the processes if the changes start from the top management. Another solution is to employ or recruit employees with a sound past. Employees tainted by corruption and unethical conditions should be removed from the equation. Consistency is the final condition that will ensure a completion of the transformation. The organization will adopt a new standard if the changes are applied without favoritism across the board.
How do these solutions, resources, or answers address strategic leadership explored in the course?
The solutions address strategic leadership aspects by showing initiative. Strategic leadership is applied in all the strategies in question. In policy making, the leadership of an organization make a deliberate effort to put in place suitable guidelines. The policy must be well thought out to guarantee that they are both relevant and measurable. The policies written must also be applicable to all the members of staff. They must not favor or disadvantage anyone. The leaders must also be willing to lead by example. They will be the first to practice the suggested actions. The employees may then incorporate the practices when the leaders offer them advice relevant to ethical transformation. The formal ethical program must also be a vital part of inhouse training and performance evaluation.
How will you, as a professional, integrate this learning into your own role as a leader and manager?
As a professional, the lessons leant can be applied through personal adherence. This can be done by proper conduct despite the circumstances. Making personal decisions while being independent of unethical counsel is also applicable. A professional must sometimes choose to stand alone if those around are unethical. The professional must also surround himself with ethical mentors who can help him grow into a better employee. Lastly, a professional leader must incorporate the ethical tendencies into the interactions with others. This will build his reputation as an ethical person while boosting his professionalism.
References
Schwartz, M. S. (2013). Developing and sustaining an ethical corporate culture: The core elements. Business Horizons, 56(1), 39-50.
