Discussion post

Part 1 Discussion response. Should be at least 200 words with in text citations that are scholarly articles.

Leaders play a central role in establishing and sustaining organization values and ethical behavior by shaping both the ethical climate and the systems that reinforce expected conduct. While formal codes of ethics and compliance programs are important, leadership behavior ultimately determines whether ethical values are embedded in daily organizational practice. Research on ethical leadership emphasizes that employees look to leaders for cues about acceptable behavior, particularly when facing ambiguity or competing pressures (Brown et al., 2025). As a result, ethical behavior is most effectively encouraged when leaders consistently model ethical standards and align organizational practices with state values.

Ethical leadership theory, grounded in social learning theory, provides a useful framework for understanding how leaders influence ethical behavior within organizations. Brown et al. (2005) defines ethical leadership as the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, along with the promotion of such conduct through communication, reinforcement, and decision-making. This perspective highlights that employees learn ethical norms by observing leaders, especially those who hold authority and control valued organizational outcomes. Ethical leadership therefor extends beyond personal integrity to include active management of ethical expectations.

From a practical standpoint, ethical leadership is implemented when leaders openly communicate ethical standards, act consistently with those standards, and reinforce ethical behavior through rewards and accountability systems. Leaders signal the importance of ethics not only through policies, but through daily decisions such as how misconduct is addressed or how performance trade-offs are managed (Brown et al., 2005). When ethical behavior is visibly rewarded and unethical behavior is corrected, employees receive clear guidance regarding acceptable conduct within the organization.

Ethical leadership also reduces ambiguity in decision-making by making moral considerations more salient. Joness (1991) issue contingent model suggests that ethical behavior varies based on how individuals perceive the moral intensity of a situation. Leaders can influence this perception by framing decisions in ethical terms and encouraging employees to consider broader consequences. By doing so, leaders integrate ethics into routing decision making rather than treating it as a separate or secondary concern (Jones, 1991).

Overall, ethical leadership demonstrates that maintaining organization values is an active leadership responsibility rather than a passive organizational function. Through consistent modeling, communication, and reinforcement, leaders can create ethical climates that guide behavior even in complex or high-pressure situations (Brown et al., 2005).

References

Brown, M. E., Trevio, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117134.

Jones, T. M. (1991). Ethical Decision Making by Individuals in Organizations: An Issue-Contingent Model. The Academy of Management Review, 16(2), 366395.

Leaders play a central role in shaping organizational values and ethical behaviors because they establish the moral tone and behavioral expectations that guide daily decision-making (Brown et al., 2005). Leaders do not cultivate ethics through policy alone; instead, they embed ethical behavior through consistent modeling, reinforcement, and accountability mechanisms (Brown et al., 2005). Among leadership theories, transformational leadership offers a particularly robust framework for embedding ethical behavior into organizational culture because it emphasizes moral influence, vision alignment, and value-based motivation (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999).
Scholars typically describe transformational leadership through a set of interrelated behavioral orientations that emphasize moral influence, motivational vision, cognitive challenge, and individualized development (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). When leaders consistently model ethical conduct, they legitimize moral standards through their behavior and decision-making (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). When leaders demonstrate integrity in ambiguous or high-pressure contexts, employees internalize those standards as organizational values rather than treating them as compliance requirements (Brown et al., 2005).
Leaders further reinforce ethical behavior through inspirational motivation when they articulate a vision that integrates performance goals with moral purpose (Brown et al., 2005). When leaders explicitly link organizational purpose to social responsibility and fairness, employees engage more consistently in ethical decision-making, even in the absence of direct supervision (Brown et al., 2005). This alignment transforms ethics from an abstract ideal into a shared organizational identity.
Transformational leaders promote ethical climates by encouraging intellectual stimulation, which empowers employees to challenge unethical practices without fear of retaliation (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). When leaders cultivate psychological safety alongside moral leadership, they reduce the likelihood of ethical fading, a process through which individuals overlook ethical dimensions under performance pressure (Tenbrunsel & Messick, 2004). Leaders operationalize this approach when they reward principled dissent and integrate ethical reflection into strategic discussions rather than relying solely on compliance training (Tenbrunsel & Messick, 2004).
Leaders further operationalize ethics through individualized consideration when they recognize that situational constraints shape moral decision-making (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). Leaders who provide tailored guidance, mentorship, and ethical coaching enable employees to navigate complex trade-offs rather than defaulting to rule-based minimalism. Over time, this leadership approach fosters moral competence rather than passive conformity.
To sustain ethical leadership, organizations must support leaders through ethical performance metrics, leadership development programs, and transparent accountability structures (Brown et al., 2005). Leaders must embed ethics within evaluation systems to ensure consistency between espoused values and enacted behaviors.
Ultimately, transformational leadership sustains ethical cultures not by enforcing morality through authority but by cultivating shared moral commitment. This distinction becomes critical in global and complex organizations where ethical behavior must persist even in the absence of direct oversight.
References
Bass, B. M., & Steidlmeier, P. (1999). Ethics, character, and authentic transformational leadership behavior. The Leadership Quarterly, 10(2), 181217.
Brown, M. E., Trevio, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117134.
Tenbrunsel, A. E., & Messick, D. M. (2004). Ethical fading: The role of self-deception in unethical behavior. Social Justice Research, 17(2), 223236. art 3

Leadership, Values & Ethics
Write a literature review analyzing the relationship between leadership, personal values, and
ethics in an organizational context. Based on your research, formulate at least one hypothesis
about the relationship.
For example, you might select a particular leadership style (such as transformational leadership
or servant leadership) and a concept related to values or ethics (such as corporate social
responsibility or environmental sustainability). The literature review should discuss these
concepts as well as any antecedents or outcomes of the relationship between them. The
research might also reveal another variable which may mediate or moderate the relationship
between these constructs. Formulate at least one hypothesis based on the literature review.
Following APA, the essay should consist of in-text citations and a reference list, which reflect
the research supporting the analysis. All of the sources mentioned in-text should be on the
reference list. There should be no sources on the reference list, which have not been mentioned
in-text.
Following APA, format the essay using MSWord, 1 margins, double-spaced, Times New Roman,
12 font. It should reflect impeccable grammar, spelling, style, logic, and critical thinking. There
is no minimum or maximum length.
Your literature review should be prepared and presented in essay format following APA; it
should consist of the following elements:
A cover page and abstract
An introduction which engages the reader, sets the tone for the essay, and describes the
problem or topic the essay will explore
A clear thesis statement which states the purpose and focus of the essay
Reference to at least 10 peer-reviewed journal articles
Headings to organize the flow of the essay
A conclusion that summarizes and contextualizes the essay

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