Leadership Ethics - Is Doing the Right Thing Good Enough?

The book Leadership Ethics: Is doing the right thing good enough? Was written by Dr. Lamar Odom a professor of business and leadership, attorney and leadership consultant. He was a former lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force where he served for twenty-two years.

He bases this book mostly on his military experience and tries to explain the ethical dilemmas that leaders face and reasons as to why most leaders fail to lead effectively and ethically. He research and well knowledge in the field of leadership has enabled him interact with many scholars who have researched on the same topic. He uses some of their works in this book to bring out a point that he wants to put across.

         In his first chapter, Dr. Odom starts by defining what really Ethics is apart from the cliché which majority of the people use to explain what ethics is i. e “Ethics is doing the right thing”. He says, ultimately ethics is about doing the right thing but defining it in such a manner minimizes the complexity of various types of dilemmas leaders face. He defines ethics as a philosophical discipline that focuses on right and wrong and how to get to the right behavior. As leaders go on about doing the right thing its important to keep in mind that the process of achieving the right result is equally important. Leaders should ensure that they avoid using unethical process in achieving ethical result i. e the end should not always justify the means even if the result is ultimately the right thing. When leaders fail to act ethically, those with whom they are entrusted to lead inevitably lose confidence in leader’s ability to carry out the mission and thus results to a leadership crisis. He believes ethics is at the heart of leadership but at the same time power is essential to enable leaders influence others to follow which propels to leadership effectiveness. He gives a disclaimer by stating that effectiveness should not be used to measure leaders. A good example to this is Osama Bin Laden and Hitler who would be considered to be “effective leaders”. They both influenced and mobilized their followers towards a specific goal and the desired results were achieved. When a leader uses her power ethically to do good and good is assessed based upon reason and objectivity not the subjective intentions of the leader, the leader is perceived to have acted ethically.

        By incorporating a reasoned and objective analysis is where a clear distinction is reached between ethics and morality. Take for example stoning a woman for adultery may be considered moral by an individual whose religion espouses such views. However, with an ethical analysis based on reason and objective this could not rationally be justified. Thus, ethical behavior is based on a broader societal view. Dr. Odom precludes that Egocentrism is at the centre of ethical failures of leadership. When leaders pursue their own self-interest even when doing so will knowingly cause harm to others, the outcome will often result in unethical conduct.

The author clarifies the confusion between ethical behavior and religion mores. He says the two are always viewed synonymously; however, the two disciplines are similar, ethical reasoning must go beyond that is required of religion. An example of this clarification is a mother whose baby needs blood transfusion to survive but her religious belief i.e Jehova Witness prohibits blood transfusion. From a religious perspective, allowing the child to die is the required course of action. However, through ethical analysis of reason and objectivity (principles of showing concern to others), one would conclude that granting the transfusion would be the proper course of action. Basically, the law states it clear in this situation i.e against the mother’s wishes.

        The author highlights the three most common ethical theories namely; theory of utilitarianism, theory of deontology and theory of justice. The theory of utilitarianism is the most applied in solving ethical dilemmas because it is simple to grasp and apply. The theory suggests that when face with an ethical dilemma, one should pursue a course of action that brings about the greater good for the benefit of the majority. This theory has its critics though. Many argue that it overlooks the rights of the minority. An example of this is when President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs to end the war in the World War II leading to a lot of people losing their lives. His committee which mainly consisted of military advisors argued that the lives saved by ending the war outweighed the lives destroyed by using the bombs and that it was the best course of action. The theory of deontology advocates that actions should be guided by a moral duty. When faced with an ethical dilemma, this theory should guide ones decisions for example, is it ethical to torture? The third and last theory is that of justice. This is an old theory which dates back to over two thousand years ago, it connotes equality and fairness. The author says that doing the right thing is not something that is done instinctively. Leaders have to adopt a process of reasoning and employ ethical strategies that will enable them to reason through complex ethical dilemmas. This leads to the author believing ethics should not only be taught but it should be legislated. Corporations now days have codes of conducts due to the diverse group of people. The codes are put in place to ensure a certain level of behavior is practiced by everyone. Still on the point of ethics being taught in institutions, Dr. Odom further explains that critical thinking skills are required when engaging in a high level ethical dilemma. Only through a critical analysis of the facts and developing ethical reasoning skills can one reduce chances of making unethical decisions. He lays down steps to an effective critical thinking analysis which is as follow;