Leadership and Ethics

MBA

Updated Module Plan

Note:

1. Abbreviations used in the module plan:

CT - Constructivist Theory

SC - Situated Cognition

CN - Cognitive Neuroscience

2. All suggested changes are in green.

3. All comments are in blue.

Introduction
This session discusses ethical leadership and how the character, actions, goals, honesty, power,
and values of the leader affect their ethics. This session further explores how these
characteristics impact a leaders moral compass.

For all group and class discussions we will be using a private social networking tool,
called Yammer. You can access it by selecting Yammer in the menu on the left.
We will use it as a community of practice, where we will connect, share, learn and do.
You will also give and receive feedback from your peers and your instructor there. Yammer will
allow you to stay connected, brainstorm and share your wisdom, experience and
resources after the course ends.

Comment:

SC (Suggestion 2) involve students in a community of practice

I would use Yammer for the entire course, not just this module.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:
Examine the characteristics of ethical leadership
 Employ using Apply the ethical decision making model for ethical considerations in a
decision making process
Explore how decisions and actions are a reflection of leaders values and define his or
her ethical leadership
Determine their values and moral guidelines

Required Reading

Northouse, P. G. (2015). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, chapter 11.

Skim "Emerging from Ethical Scandal," read p. 215 - 217 Defining ethical leadership and
The role of leadership in creating an ethical climate, see Table 6 Lessons of ethical
leadership p. 232.
Read "Ethics in the context of civic and political leadership," read Statecraft vs. Soulcraft pp.
712-713 for a discussion of human nature and ethics; read The Role of Character in Ethical
Leadership pp. 713-714.
After Yahoo Why Do Powerful People Lie?
Are You Using Your Power for Good or for Evil?

Lesson 1: Ethics in Leadership

Begin by reading Chapter 11 in your textbook followed by skimming "Emerging from Ethical
Scandal." Read p. 215 - 217 Defining ethical leadership and The role of leadership in
creating an ethical climate. Also see pp. 217-218, see Table 1 Characteristics of ethical
leaders; Finally, see Table 6, Lessons of ethical leadership, p. 232.
Watch the following video for a brief and good set of questions for ethical leaders: Can
Effective Leaders be Ethical Leaders?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtTE4LrKzAs
Finally, review the article on ethics in the context of civic and political leadership. Read
Statecraft vs. Soulcraft, pp. 712-713. For a discussion of human nature and ethics, read
The Role of Character in Ethical Leadership, pp. 713-714.
Watch this video on Integrity (from the Foundation for a Better Life)
Read Case Study for Ethical Leadership Decision Making

Case Study (Group Activity): The Corpsman

Rationale: Applying the ethical decision making model to case studies like The Corpsman
assists you in developing the moral muscle memory that will be required in high stress
situations. Difficult ethical decision making becomes easier when it is built on the foundation of
ongoing practice. Walking the steps from moral awareness to moral action is an indispensable
skill of an ethical leader.
 Comment:

CN (Suggestion 4) use of environmental factor - importance

This is a 2-step activity:

Step 1 Group Discussion and Presentation

Step 2 Class Discussion

Comment:

CT (Suggestion 2)/ SC (Suggestion 3) - Part 1 of this activity is a group work, Part 2 - class
discussion and reflection on other groups' work (collaborative learning)

Directions:

Step 1: Group Discussion and Presentation

Work in groups. Complete all required readings for this lesson before starting the discussion.
Read Case Study for Ethical Leadership Decision Making. Use the Ethical Leadership Decision
model introduced in the case study to work through the decision points. Use the questions in
the case study to help you make the decision.

1. Decide if this situation contains an ethical problem.

2. Using the moral judgment step in the model, formulate questions that will help you weigh
various options.
3. Using the moral intention step in the model, decide what you will do in this situation.
4. Using the moral action step in the model, ask yourself whether you will follow through with
your decision.

To collaborate with your team, create your team Yammer group.

Present your decision using any presentation format you find helpful: Prezi, VoiceThread, blog
post, video, virtual meeting recording (e.g. A Google Hangout on Air), a podcast, or a document.

Group Presentation Rubric is provided.

Step 2: Class Discussion/Debate

Complete and post your teams decision for other groups to see in Yammer (in or class group).
Review the decisions other groups made, reflect, provide feedback, agree or disagree, explain
your point of view. You can leave your comments using audio, video or text. You can also use the
like feature.

Discussion Rubric is provided.

Comments:
CT (Suggestion 1) / SC (Suggestion 3) - This case study is an authentic, challenging real-life
and open-ended problem that has purpose and meaning to the adult learner (learning by
doing)
CN (Suggestion 1) - Students have an option to use audio, video, or text for their presentation
- multimodal teaching/learning

Self and Peer Evaluation (Individual Activity)

Submit a self and peer evaluation report that includes the following:

Group Members:
Case Study:
Assignment Description:
My contribution (briefly):
Contributions of the other member of the group (briefly):
In my opinion:
We all contributed equitably
One or more members make an outstanding contribution and deserve extra recognition.
Please describe:

One or more members MAY have not participated equitably in the assignment.
Please describe (please reflect on this statement in conjunction with the others'
statements for verification):

Comment:

SC (Suggestion 1) - Creating an environment of full immersion, where students can learn

skills, new ideas and behaviours that are taught in the context Students need to make
ethical decisions while completing this report and reflecting on their own and other group
members contribution.

Journal Entry (Individual Activity)

In your journal, reflect on your learning experience from:

Readings, videos and case study

The group activity
The class discussion

You can reflect on your learning using text, podcast, or video. Share the link to your journal with
your instructor. You will receive feedback before writing/recording your next entry.

Here is a story about creating a personal journal on Yammer that you can use as a guide:
http://social-media-university-global.org/2008/11/yammer-109-yammering-your-personal-
journal/

Comments:

CT (Suggestion 3) - Engaging students in construction of their own content using journals

CN (Suggestion 1) - Students have an option to use audio, video, or text for their journaling;
instructors can use various options for their feedback too - multimodal teaching/learning
Lesson 2: Developing your Moral Compass

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Conduct interviews and reflect on the differences and commonalities in how individuals
view ethical leadership
Develop their Moral Compass

Ethical Leader Interview (Group, Individual and Class Activity)

In this assignment you are to interview an exemplary leader of your choice, someone living with
whom you can hold a live conversation, either face-to-face in person, or via the telephone or
video conferencing, not via email. While you may choose a leader in any sector, this assignment
does afford you the opportunity to make a strategic connection with a leader who may be
instrumental in opening doors for you professionally. Consider using this assignment to make a
powerful connection with someone of influence. It is suggested that you limit your interview to
around 30 minutes and that you begin contacting someone to arrange an appointment early in
the term.

Comments:

CN (Suggestion 2) Incorporating context to make learning meaningful, adding motivation

CN (Suggestion 4) use of environmental factor - importance

SC (Suggestion 1) - Creating an environment of full immersion

This is a 3-step activity:

Step 1: A mock interview (Group Activity)

Arrange a mock interview with two of your classmates. Provide and receive feedback while
preparing for the interview with the leader of your choice. You can also discuss best questions to
ask.

Comments:

CN (Suggestions 1 and 3) Providing opportunities for observation and active discussion

CT (Suggestion 2) Using peers as resources

Step 2: Ethical Leader Interview (Individual Activity)

Write or record a video/audio summary with the highlights of the interview, which should
include an in-depth analysis of the leader interview and his/her approach to ethical leadership
including the following:

The ethical leadership philosophy of this leader, including specific examples of

positive/exemplary ethical leadership
Describe what we can learn from this persons approach
Thoroughly and thoughtfully critique the leaders philosophy of leadership while directly
integrating your analysis with specific knowledge (theories or concepts or models)
gained through the readings in this course.
Indicate how the ideas from the leader you investigated inform your own ethical
leadership practice.

Written Assignment Rubric is provided.

Comment:

CT (Suggestion 3) Engaging students in construction of their own content/knowledge and

reflecting on their experiences

Step 3: Class Discussion

Post the summary to Yammer.

Read the interview highlights posted by your classmates. Reply to at least one post discussing
the findings from your classmates interview. For example, how did your classmates findings
compare or contrast with yours?

Discussion Rubric is provided.

Comment:

CT (Suggestion 3)/ SC (Suggestion 3) - Part 1 of this activity is a group work, Part 3 - class
discussion and reflection on other groups' work (collaborative learning)

Ethical Leadership: Developing your Moral Compass (Individual Activity)

You will complete the Ethical Leadership Activity: Developing your Moral Compass. You have
already partnered with other class-mates, now you will share and discuss your Moral Compass
Chart, and write a 1-2 page double spaced joint reflection paper using the questions provided
below.
 Comments:
CT (Suggestion 3) Engaging students in construction of their own content/knowledge and
reflecting on their experiences
CT (Suggestion 2) Using peers as resources
CN (Suggestion 4) - Use environmental factors to arouse and maintain people's attention:
Novelty, movement, organization, elaboration)

The first step is to complete an interactive activity. Click Begin in the activity below and follow
the directions provided. The activity may take you about 30-45 minutes. At the end of the
activity click Generate Summary to print and save a copy of your Moral Compass to your PC.
Make sure to include your name in the title when you save the document (Example:
StudentXMoralCompass.PDF). If you do not save the results when prompted at the end of the
activity, all your responses will be lost and you will have to start the exercise all over again.

Some screenshots:
A copy of the Moral Compass chart can be found under Resources.

When you finish the activity send the PDF containing your Moral Compass results to
your partner through email. In addition, set up a meeting with your partner through
Google Hangout, Skype, or a similar collaboration tool. Together you will be creating a
Joint Reflection Paper which will focus on the following questions:
1. What are the similarities and differences between your top values?
o What combined thoughts do you have on
ways to make decisions when your values
are in tension?
2. Review your Leadership Purpose, Ethical Reputation and Leadership Goals.
o What thoughts do the two of you have on
ways you each will stay true to your
leadership purpose and maintain your
ethical reputation?
3. Share the four guiding principles that create your moral compass.
o Why are these principles important to
you?
o Are there any similarities or common
themes between the two of you?
o Describe.
4. What new insight did you gain from completing the Moral Compass Activity
and/or from this conversation with your classmate?
When you have completed this assignment, you and your partner will ultimately each turn in the
PDF containing your individual moral compass results and this shared paper with both of
your names on it.

Written Assignment Rubric is provided.: Y

yo
Journal Entry (Individual Activity)

In your journal, reflect on your learning experience from:

The interviews
Your individual Moral Compass activity
Your group Moral Compass activity

You can reflect on your learning using text, podcast, or video. Share the link to your journal with
your instructor. You will receive feedback before writing/recording your next entry.

Here is a story about creating a personal journal on Yammer that you can use as a guide:
http://social-media-university-global.org/2008/11/yammer-109-yammering-your-personal-
journal/

Comments:

CT (Suggestion 3) - Engaging students in construction of their own content using journals

CN (Suggestion 1) - Students have an option to use audio, video, or text for their journaling;
instructors can use various options for their feedback too - multimodal teaching/learning

Assignment Checklist:

Specific directions for each assignment are presented in the session lessons. View the
course schedule for a complete outline of course assignments and their due dates.

Individual Assignments

Verify that you finished working on the following assignments:

Case Study (Group and Class Activity): The Corpsman

Ethical Leader Interview
Moral Compass Assignment
Self and Peer Evaluation
Journal Entries

This is the end of the Module.