Key Concepts in Leadership, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy

Leadership

Exercise of influence in a group context

Epistemology

How we know what we know

Machiavellian

Manipulative leadership focused on personal gain and power. Belief that ends justify the means

Mission

What they are hoping to accomplish, where they are hoping to go

Cynicism

Lack of integrity in your motivations

Narrative

The story we tell ourselves/business tell themselves

Ethics

Moral decisions that have to be made when there is no clear right or wrong

Kant - Deontology (Universalism)

People must be treated as ends, not means. Focuses on duty and moral rules, act according to principles you would want everyone to follow

Utilitarianism (Teleology)

The right action produces the greatest good for the greatest number. Focuses on consequences

Pragmatism (Rawls)

Justice as fairness

Altruism

Putting others ahead of yourself, self-sacrifice for the good of followers

Toxic

Anything that violates the boundaries

Hubris

False pride

Narcissistic

Lack of self-love because of a lack of self-knowledge

Morals/ Morality

Central morals, core beliefs about right and wrong

Values

The world as it should be

Virtues

That value in practice over a long-term

Temperance

Self-control and moderation

Courage

Doing what is right despite fear

Grit

Perseverance over long periods

Prudence

Practical wisdom, making the right decision at the right time

Moral identity

Your own sense of morality and how we can articulate and identify that

Success

Achieving goals while maintaining moral integrity and strong character

Forgiveness

Letting go of the thing that happened to you and think positively about the person who hurt you

Virtue ethics (Bartunek and Tralen)

Focuses on character rather than rules or consequences. Ethical behavior flows from becoming a good person over time