Part B - Management Skill Builder: Building High Ethical Standards

Ethics encompasses the rules and principles we define right and wrong conduct. Many organizations have formally written ethical codes to guide managers and employees in their decisions and actions. But individuals need to establish their own personal ethical standards. If managers are to lead others successfully, they must be seen as trustworthy and ethical.

MyLab Management Personal Inventory Assessment: Ethical Leadership Assessment

Organizations need ethical leadership from all employees, but especially from managers. In this PIA, you'll see how much thought and effort goes into being honest in your workplace behavior.

THIS IS FOR

ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY

Skill Basics

There are two sets of skills in this section to consider:

What You Can Do:

• Know your values.
• Think before you act.
• Consider all consequences.
• Apply the "publicity test."
• Seek opinions from others.

What Your Organization Can Do:

• Create an formal ethics code.
• Set an ethical culture.
• Ensure managers are role models.
• Offer ethics workshops.
• Appoint an ethics "advisor."
• Protect employees who report unethical practices.

Practicing the Skill

We're taking a little different approach with this chapter's skill practice. Form into teams of four or five people. Using a copy of your college's code of conduct, answer the following questions:

• How many of the team members were aware of the code?
• How many had read it?
• Evaluate the code's provisions and policies.
• Are you uncomfortable with any of the code's provisions? Why?
• How effective do you think they have been in shaping student and faculty behavior?
• What could be done to improve them if they haven't been effective?