Ethics and Leadership in Communication: Key Concepts

Ethics

Moral principles that guide behavior. Example: A PR professional refusing to mislead stakeholders.

The Golden Mean

Aristotle's idea that virtue is the middle ground between extremes. Example: Courage is between recklessness and cowardice.

The Categorical Imperative

Kant's principle to act only in ways you'd want everyone to act. Example: Lying isn't universal because society would collapse if everyone lied.

Three tenets of the Categorical Imperative

Universal laws, People as ends, not means, Act as a moral legislator. Example: Don't manipulate teammates for personal gain.

Utilitarianism

The most moral action brings the greatest good to the most people. Example: Disclosing a product defect despite financial loss.

The Veil of Ignorance

Making decisions without knowing your position in society. Example: Creating fair workplace policies without knowing if you'd be a manager or entry-level.

Ends-based-principles

Judge actions by their results. Example: Sharing confidential info to prevent harm.

Rules-based-principles

Judge actions by following moral rules regardless of outcome. Example: Never breaking confidentiality, no matter the benefit.

Care-based-principles

Ethics focused on relationships and protecting the vulnerable. Example: A manager explaining changes to affected employees with empathy.

Power

Ability to influence others. Example: A manager who controls assignments and promotions.

Oppression

Systemic unjust treatment. Example: Women excluded from leadership channels.

Systems of power

Structures that distribute authority. Example: Corporate hierarchies determining who makes decisions.

Privilege

Unearned advantages given to certain groups. Example: Native English speakers having advantages in global companies.

Class

Social division based on economics and culture. Example: Different communication styles between executives and hourly workers.

Hegemony

Dominance through cultural consent, not force. Example: 'Neutral' dress codes favoring certain backgrounds.

Patriarchy

System where men hold primary power. Example: Men speaking more and being interrupted less in meetings.

Social Change

Shifts in social structures over time. Example: Organizations adopting more inclusive language.

Microaggression

Brief, everyday slights against marginalized groups. Example: Repeatedly mispronouncing someone's name despite corrections.

Reward power

Influence through giving benefits. Example: A manager approving bonuses or time off.

Referent power

Influence through respect or admiration. Example: A leader valued for expertise and character.

Coercive power

Influence through punishment. Example: A supervisor assigning bad tasks to non-compliant team members.

Expert power

Influence from specialized knowledge. Example: An IT specialist whose advice is followed due to technical expertise.

Organizational detective

Someone who studies organizational culture. Example: A consultant observing communication patterns.

Ethnography

Studying people through observation and participation. Example: A researcher embedded in a startup.

Fieldwork

Direct observation in real settings. Example: Taking notes on meeting dynamics while participating.

Problems with academic writing

Issues like jargon and complexity. Example: Research papers using terminology practitioners can't understand.

How to conduct an organizational analysis

Examining structures, culture, and communication. Example: Using interviews and observations to understand information flow.

Thick description

Detailed explanation with context. Example: Describing why employees don't speak in meetings, including historical factors.

Group task roles

Functions related to completing objectives. Example: The information seeker who clarifies the group's purpose.

Group building and maintenance roles

Functions that maintain group cohesion. Example: The encourager who praises contributions.

Individual roles

Self-centered behaviors hindering progress. Example: The blocker who objects without alternatives.

Groupthink

When desire for harmony leads to poor decisions. Example: A team ignoring risks to maintain agreement.

Leadership

Influencing others toward goals. Example: A coordinator motivating members and facilitating communication.

Myths of leadership

Common misconceptions about leaders.

Myths of leadership

Common misconceptions about leaders. Example: The myth that leadership is innate, not developed.

Traits approach to leadership

Focus on personal characteristics. Example: Studying if extroversion correlates with leadership success.

Functional approach to leadership

Focus on what leaders do. Example: How leaders balance tasks with relationships.

Transformational approach to leadership

Focus on inspiring followers. Example: A leader with a vision that motivates innovation.

Situational approach to leadership

Adapting leadership to different contexts. Example: Being directive with new employees but collaborative with experienced ones.

Group cohesiveness

How attracted members are to the group. Example: A team that socializes outside work and shows commitment.

Organizational communication

How organizations create and share meaning. Example: All information channels in a hospital.

Organizational Culture

Shared values and practices. Example: A tech company showing innovation through office design and brainstorming.

Voluntary

Freely chosen participation. Example: Joining an optional committee.

Temporary

Limited duration. Example: A task force for a specific challenge.

Hierarchy/Status Differential

Formal authority differences. Example: Requiring manager approval for executive communications.

Physical Proximity

Spatial relationships. Example: Nearby team members developing stronger communication.

Communication Climate

Emotional tone of relationships. Example: Supportive feedback versus defensive criticism.

Task/Goal Dependence

Relying on others to achieve objectives. Example: Copywriters depending on designers in an ad team.

Dual Meanings

Messages with explicit and implicit meanings. Example: 'Cost-cutting' explicitly means budget reduction but implies layoffs.

LMX Theory

Leader-Member Exchange Theory about leader-follower relationships. Example: A manager with in-group members who get more opportunities.

Stories

Narratives sharing organizational values. Example: A company's founding story emphasizing perseverance.

Language

Organization-specific terminology. Example: Company acronyms and slang.

Rituals

Repeated activities with meaning. Example: Monthly all-hands meetings reinforcing identity.

Socialization

How new members learn culture. Example: Orientation programs teaching company values.

Anticipatory Socialization

Learning about an organization before joining. Example: Researching a company before an interview.

Organizational Encounter

First experiences in an organization. Example: First week experiencing the real workplace culture.

Metamorphosis

Transformation from outsider to insider. Example: Understanding inside jokes and unwritten rules.

Benefits of Diversity Training

Positive outcomes from learning about differences. Example: Improved communication after bias training.

Intergroup Communication

Interaction between different social groups. Example: Marketing and engineering departments communicating.

Normative definition of culture

Culture as shared values and behaviors. Example: Some cultures prefer direct communication, others indirect.

Interpretive definition of culture

Culture as shared meanings. Example: Hand-raising having different meanings across cultures.

Critical definition of culture

Culture as power dynamics. Example: Jargon excluding those without certain education.

Dialectic definition of culture

Culture as evolving through tension. Example: Organizations balancing tradition with innovation.

Communication is a meaning making process

Communication creates, not just transmits, meaning. Example: How announcement framing shapes employee responses.

Intergroup contact theory

Positive contact reduces prejudice. Example: Cross-department projects building understanding.

Accommodative processes

Adjusting communication based on group identity. Example: Simplifying technical language for non-specialists.

Communication patterns of groups in power

How dominant groups communicate. Example: Executives using assertive language and interrupting more.

Methods for better intergroup communication

Methods for better intergroup communication. Example: Creating dialogue sessions for sharing perspectives.

Requirements for effective intergroup communication

Requirements for effective intergroup communication. Example: Equal status, common goals, and institutional support.