Executive Leadership

Ethics

Concerned with values and morals regarding right vs. wrong and good vs. bad behavior.

Ethical Leadership

Leadership grounded in respect, service, justice, honesty, and building community.

Ethical Egoism

An ethical theory that focuses on creating the greatest good for the leader.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Altruism

An ethical theory that emphasizes concern for the best interests of others.

Teleological Theories

Ethical theories that judge actions by their consequences.

Deontological Theories

Ethical theories that emphasize duty and moral obligations rather than consequences.

Virtue-Based Ethics

Focuses on leaders’ character and moral virtues rather than specific actions.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

A framework describing how individuals reason morally across three levels and six stages.

Dark Side of Leadership

Destructive leadership behaviors that harm followers and organizations.

Pseudotransformational Leadership

Leadership that appears transformational but is unethical and self-serving.

Toxic Triangle

Interaction of destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments.

Authentic Leadership

Leadership that is genuine, ethical, and rooted in self-awareness and transparency.

Intrapersonal Definition

Authentic leadership based on the leader’s self-concept and life story.

Interpersonal Definition

Authentic leadership created through reciprocal relationships between leaders and followers.

Developmental Definition

Authentic leadership that develops over time and can be triggered by life events.

Self-Awareness

Understanding one’s own values, emotions, motives, and identity.

Internalized Moral Perspective

Self-regulation guided by internal moral standards rather than external pressures.

Balanced Processing

Objective analysis of information, including opposing viewpoints, before decision-making.

Relational Transparency

Open and honest sharing of one’s true self with others.

Positive Psychological Capacities

Confidence, hope, optimism, and resilience that support authentic leadership.

Critical Life Events

Major positive or negative experiences that shape leader development and authenticity.

Adaptive Leadership

Leadership that mobilizes people to tackle complex challenges and thrive in changing environments.

Technical Challenges

Problems with clear definitions and known solutions solved through authority and expertise.

Adaptive Challenges

Complex problems requiring learning, value changes, and new behaviors from followers.

Technical and Adaptive Challenges

Challenges that require both expertise and changes in values or behavior.

Get on the Balcony

Stepping back from a situation to gain perspective while remaining engaged.

Identify Adaptive Challenges

Diagnosing whether a challenge is technical or adaptive in nature.

Regulate Distress

Helping followers manage stress so it remains productive rather than overwhelming.

Holding Environment

A supportive context where people can confront difficult challenges safely.

Maintain Disciplined Attention

Keeping people focused on addressing tough issues rather than avoiding them.

Give the Work Back to the People

Empowering followers to solve adaptive problems themselves.

Protect Leadership Voices from Below

Ensuring marginalized or dissenting voices are heard.

Adaptive Work

The learning and problem-solving work done primarily by followers.

Ethical Climate

The shared perception of what is ethically correct behavior in an organization.

Respect for Persons

Treating followers as ends in themselves, not as means to an end.

Servant Leadership (Ethical Perspective)

Leadership that prioritizes serving followers’ needs and development.

Distributive Justice

Fair allocation of benefits and burdens among followers.

Honesty (Ethical Principle)

Truthfulness combined with appropriate openness and accountability.

Community (Ethical Principle)

Leadership that promotes shared goals and the common good.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, norms, symbols, and traditions of a group.

Multiculturalism

An approach that considers multiple cultural perspectives.

Diversity

The presence of different cultural or ethnic groups within an organization.

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to view one’s own culture as superior to others.

Prejudice

A fixed, biased belief or attitude toward a group based on insufficient evidence.

Individualistic Culture

A culture that emphasizes individual goals and independence.

Collectivistic Culture

A culture that prioritizes group goals and interdependence.

Power Distance

The degree to which unequal distribution of power is accepted in a culture.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Extent to which a culture relies on rules and procedures to reduce uncertainty.

Institutional Collectivism

Encouragement of collective action at the organizational or societal level.

In-Group Collectivism

Strong loyalty and pride toward family or close groups.

Gender Egalitarianism

Degree to which gender equality is promoted.

Assertiveness

Extent to which people are direct and confrontational in social interactions.

Future Orientation

Emphasis on planning, investing, and delayed gratification.

Performance Orientation

Extent to which excellence and achievement are rewarded.

Humane Orientation

Degree to which kindness, fairness, and generosity are encouraged.

GLOBE Study

Large-scale cross-cultural research examining culture’s impact on leadership.

Charismatic/Value-Based Leadership

Leadership that inspires and motivates through strong core values.

Team-Oriented Leadership

Leadership focused on collaboration and common goals.

Participative Leadership

Leadership that involves others in decision-making.

Humane-Oriented Leadership

Leadership characterized by compassion and support for others.

Autonomous Leadership

Independent and individualistic leadership style.

Self-Protective Leadership

Leadership focused on safety, security, and status preservation.