Improving Ethical Behaviours
Many people do not embrace the best principles whenever making their decisions. This situation occurs when such individuals have to deal with their ethical dilemmas. According to Bazerman and Tenbrusel (2011, p. 154), “human beings overestimate their capabilities to do things properly”. However, such individuals will act unethically without their knowledge. Managers and organisational leaders must embrace the best interventions in order make ethical decisions. Bazerman and Tenbrusel (2011) believe that awareness of a problem is the first approach towards dealing with it. Many human beings are unethical. This fact explains why “human beings promote unethical behaviours without their knowledge” (Bazerman & Tenbrusel, 2011, p. 56). It is appropriate for decision-makers to determine whether their problems are unethical or not.
The next stage is identifying the prejudices that might produce negative human behaviours. Individuals should always improve the ethical implications of their decisions (Bazerman & Tenbrusel, 2011). It is also appropriate “for people to deal with time pressures, isolations, and uncertainties” (Bazerman & Tenbrusel, 2011, p. 158). This strategy will result in ethical decisions. The interventions identified in the book “Blind Spots: Why We Fail to do What’s Right and What to do About It” can encourage individuals to engage in ethical behaviours. It is agreeable that the interventions highlighted by the authors can transform the lives of many people.
Human beings must be willing to make ethical decisions. However, this goal is unachievable because many people embrace unethical behaviours. I am planning to use the above strategies in my life. Ethical behaviors and practices can make many people successful. I will always consider the facts surrounding different situations before making the most appropriate decisions. This strategy will make it easier for me to support the needs of different stakeholders and workmates. The ideas presented in this book encourage people to identify every source of prejudice (Bazerman & Tenbrusel, 2011). It is appropriate for human beings to avoid prejudices because they can result in unethical behaviours. I will also read more books in order to acquire the best ethical models and theories. Time pressures and uncertainties can produce unacceptable results. I will always prepare myself accordingly before engaging in any decision-making process. I will also analyse my thoughts and views before expressing them. My future goal is to become an organisational manager. That being the case, I will never isolate or ignore my employees. I will encourage my employees to make the best decisions. This practice will eventually make my firm successful. The worst thing is being selfish as a leader. I will use the ideas and interventions presented by Bazerman and Tenbrusel to improve my ethical behaviours.
Ethics and Leadership
Successful leaders embrace the best concepts and theories. Such leaders use various strategies in order to achieve their goals. Researchers have identified “numerous models that can be used by managers to lead and guide their employees” (Kellerman, 2010, p. 85). The book “Leadership: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence” explains how different professionals have achieved their goals using the best leadership methods. According to Kellerman (2010), words have the potential to change the world. This fact describes why “different authors have achieved the best leadership goals using their writings” (Kellerman, 2010, p. 94). A good example is Thomas Paine who published the article “Common Sense” in 1776. The ideas portrayed in this article encourage more people to engage in ethical behaviours.
Elizabeth Stanton used her article “Declaration of Sentiments” to empower more people across the world. These two authors used powerful and persuasive words in order to mentor more people. Writing is a powerful form of leadership. According to Kellerman (2010), leadership and ethics will always be inseparable. Leaders and managers should promote the best ethical behaviours in an attempt to achieve their goals. Rachel Carson’s work “Silent Spring” explains why human beings must behave ethically in order to conserve the environment. It is necessary for individuals to examine the ideas presented in this book because they can produce the best results.
Thomas Paine’s article was useful towards challenging the issues associated with the British government. The author believed that is was appropriate for the royal monarchy to consider the challenges affecting many American citizens. Thomas Paine focused on the best concepts and arguments in order to challenge every colonial leader. Paine outlined different ethical ideas in the document. The ethical approach made it easier for Paine to get the best goals. The state of affairs in the United States during the period called for new arguments and discussions. It was mandatory for the people to think beyond the demands and expectations of the British government (Kellerman, 2010).
On the other hand, Rachel Carson’s book played a critical role towards safeguarding the environment. Carson observed that many human activities were causing numerous effects on the environment. Carson used different ethical theories to achieve his goals. The utilitarian theory supports good practices that can improve the living conditions of the greatest number of citizens (Kellerman, 2010). This fact explains why ethics managed to inform most of Rachel’s goals. These two authors changed the world using their writings. Their strategies “encouraged more people to examine the issues affecting the wider society” (Kellerman, 2010, p. 132). The ethical ideas presented by the authors produced the best goals. The book by Kellerman Barbara is essential because it outlines the importance of ethics and leadership in every society. Human beings should utilize the above ideas whenever addressing their problems. The practice will promote the best leadership strategies in many communities.
Transformational and Transactional Leadership
Organisational managers employ different leadership strategies in an attempt to achieve their objectives. Such leadership styles will determine the level of employees’ performance and morale. According to Kellerman (2010, p. 78) “transformational leadership is a theoretical approach through which managers take control of different situations in order to empower their employees”. This practice eventually promotes the best practices. This leadership approach inspires positive practices and behaviours. A transformational leader “is always enthusiastic, energetic, and passionate about his or her work” (Kellerman, 2010, p. 82). Such leaders also focus on the changing needs of their employees.
On the other hand, “transactional leadership focuses on different practices such as performance, supervision, organisation, and teamwork” (Kellerman, 2010, p. 46). This leadership strategy makes it easier for people to achieve their goals whenever there is a clear mentorship or command. Transactional leaders expect their employees to follow every instruction. This strategy makes it easier for individuals to achieve their goals. A transactional leader must monitor his or her subordinates in order to achieve every objective. It is notable that transactional and transformational leadership styles follow different patterns. Such styles encourage leaders to use different theories of mentorship and management (Kellerman, 2010). However, these two leadership styles can produce positive outcomes and eventually make every company successful.
These two leadership approaches can work effectively in the workplace. The important thing is ensuring every employee understands the targeted goals. Managers should outline the objectives of their organisations. The next step is identifying the best leadership approach in order to achieve the targeted goals. I strongly believe that these two approaches can make many workplaces successful. According to Kellerman (2010, p. 67), “leaders can use one of these theories in order to achieve their goals”. Managers can also combine these two leadership styles. Such leaders must be ready to mentor, support, and encourage every employee in the workplace. This strategy encourages more employees to work as teams in an attempt to address the issues affecting them (Kellerman, 2010).
The manager must also offer the best decisions and guidelines. Such guidelines will play a useful role towards promoting the targeted goals. A leader who combines these two leadership concepts must also monitor his or her subordinates. This practice will ensure the targeted employees complete their assignments successfully. According to kellerman (2010, p. 127), “managers should always lead by example”. They should use the best theories to empower their workers. Organisational leaders should also combine different models in an attempt to support their firms. Managers can combine two or more leadership models in their organisations. The strategy can make it easier for them to deal with various organizational problems (Kellerman, 2010). Many scholars also embrace the use of different leadership theories because they can produce positive results.
Reference List
Bazerman, M., & Tenbrusel, E. (2011). Blind Spots: Why we Fail to do What’s Right and What to do About It. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Kellerman, B. (2010). Leadership: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence. New York: McGraw-Hill.