Ethical vs Unethical Leadership: The Ethics of Leadership - Hidayat Rizvi (2024)

As a leader, you must always act with integrity and ethics. However, there are times when the line between what is ethical and what is not can be blurry. Ethical leadership is based on honesty, integrity, and respect for others, while unethical leaders may engage in harmful or deceitful behavior for their own personal gain. This article will explore the difference between ethical vs unethical leadership, as well as the pros and cons of each approach. Read on!

What is ethical leadership and what is unethical leadership?

Ethical leadership is defined as leading by example and setting the tone for others to do the same. Leaders who act ethically build trust, inspire loyalty, and gain the respect of followers. Ethical leaders are also more likely to create a positive work environment and earn high employee satisfaction scores. On the other hand, unethical leadership can damage an organization’s reputation, foster a negative work environment, and lead to decreased productivity.

Some common examples of unethical leadership behavior include nepotism, embezzlement, favoritism, sexual harassment, and bullying. Nepotism is when someone in a position of power favors family members or friends over others when making decisions about hiring, promotions, or assignments. Embezzlement is when someone in a position of power illegally uses company funds for personal gain. Favoritism is when someone in a position of power gives preferential treatment to certain employees or colleagues over others. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances or conduct that creates a hostile work environment. Bullying is any behavior that demeans, threatens, or intimidates someone else.

Key differences between ethical leadership and unethical leadership

There are several key differences between ethical and unethical leadership:

1. Ethical leaders typically have a strong moral compass and adhere to a strict code of conduct. They make decisions based on what is right, rather than what is expedient or advantageous. Unethical leaders, on the other hand, may be more likely to act in their own self-interest or to take shortcuts that benefit them personally.
2. Unethical leaders may be less transparent than ethical leaders and more likely to engage in activities that could be considered manipulative or deceptive.
3. Unethical leaders may create a toxic environment within an organization, while ethical leaders typically foster a positive and productive workplace.
4. Ethical leadership has been shown to have a positive effect on employee morale and motivation, while unethical leadership can have negative consequences such as decreased productivity and employee turnover.
5. Ethical leaders are more likely to be trusted by their followers, while unethical leaders may find it difficult to gain and maintain trust.
6. Ethical leadership tends to result in higher levels of organizational citizenship behavior, while unethical leadership can lead to deviant workplace behavior.

Pros of ethical leadership over unethical leadership

There are several pros of ethical leadership over unethical leadership:

1. Ethical leaders tend to be more effective communicators. They are better able to explain their actions and decisions to others, and they are more likely to listen to feedback.
2. Ethical leaders typically have a stronger sense of empathy and compassion than unethical leaders. They are more likely to care about the well-being of others and be more willing to help those in need.
3. Ethical leadership often results in more trusting and productive relationships between leaders and followers.
4. Ethical leaders are more likely to be trusted by their followers and seen as credible sources of information. As a result, followers are often more willing to cooperate with and follow the directions of ethical leaders.

Cons of ethical leadership compared to unethical leadership

While there are some advantages to ethical leadership, there are also some potential disadvantages that should be considered.

Some of the potential disadvantages of ethical leadership include:

1. Ethical leaders may be perceived as weak or indecisive.
2. Ethical leaders may have difficulty enforcing rules and regulations.
3. Ethical leaders may be less likely to take risks, which could limit innovation and growth.
4. Ethical leaders may be less likely to confront or challenge employees, which could lead to a lack of accountability.
5. Ethical leaders may find it difficult to make tough decisions that could benefit the organization in the long run.

Are there any pros of unethical leadership over ethical leadership? If so what are they?

There are a few potential benefits of unethical leadership, though they come at the expense of others:

1. Unethical leaders may be able to get away with more because they are not bound by the same moral principles as ethical leaders. This can give them an advantage in achieving their goals, as they are not limited by ethics.
2. Unethical leaders may be able to take advantage of people and manipulate them for personal gain. This can help them to achieve power and influence over others.

However, the cost of these benefits is that unethical leaders often create a toxic environment, where people are mistreated and exploited. Additionally, their actions can ultimately lead to negative consequences for themselves and others.

Cons of unethical leadership compared to ethical leadership

There are several key disadvantages to unethical leadership compared to ethical leadership:

1. Unethical leaders are more likely to engage in illegal or questionable practices that can damage an organization’s reputation and bottom line.
2. Unethical leaders often create a hostile work environment due to their lack of transparency and accountability.
3. Employees who work for unethical leaders are more likely to experience job dissatisfaction and turnover.

Situations when ethical leadership is better than unethical leadership

There can be many situations when ethical leadership is better than unethical leadership. Here are some examples:

1. When the long-term interests of the company are at stake: Unethical leaders may make decisions that boost short-term profits or gain them personal advantages, but these choices can ultimately damage the company’s reputation and bottom line. Ethical leaders, on the other hand, always consider how their actions will impact the organization in the future, even if it means making sacrifices in the present.
2. When employees need direction: In tough times or during periods of change, employees often look to their leaders for guidance and reassurance. Unethical leaders may take advantage of this by manipulating or lying to their employees, which can erode trust and lead to a toxic work environment. Ethical leaders, however, will always be honest with their employees and help them navigate difficult situations in a constructive way.
3. When the company’s values are at stake: A company’s values should be upheld at all times, but this can be difficult when faced with challenging situations or difficult choices. Unethical leaders may be tempted to cut corners or take shortcuts that go against the company’s values, but ethical leaders will always make sure that the company’s values are upheld, no matter what.
4. When public trust is at stake: A company’s reputation is crucial to its success, and unethical leaders can damage this reputation by engaging in illegal or immoral activities. This can lead to a loss of public trust, which can be difficult to regain. Ethical leaders, on the other hand, will always act in a way that protects the company’s reputation and builds public trust.
5. When the future is at stake: Unethical leaders may make decisions that benefit them in the short-term but are detrimental to the long-term health of the company. This can put the company’s future at risk and jeopardize the livelihoods of its employees. Ethical leaders, however, always have the company’s best interests at heart and make decisions that will help it prosper in the future.

Why some leaders choose unethical over ethical leadership?

There are many reasons why a leader might choose unethical leadership over ethical leadership. Some of the most common reasons include personal gain, power, and control. Other reasons include gaining an advantage over competitors, increasing profits, or avoiding regulation.

In some cases, a leader might believe that acting in an unethical manner is the only way to achieve their goals. For example, a leader might resort to bribery or blackmail in order to get what they want. In some cases, a leader may simply be unaware of the ethical implications of their actions.

While there are certainly situations where unethical leadership can be effective, it is important to remember that it comes with a great deal of risk. Unethical leaders often find themselves facing legal trouble, public scrutiny, and even impeachment.

Ethical vs Unethical Leadership Summary

When faced with the choice between ethical and unethical leadership, it is important for leaders to consider the potential consequences of their actions. Unethical leadership can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased employee morale, legal penalties, and reputational damage. Additionally, unethical practices can create an environment where employees are more likely to engage in unethical behavior themselves. Therefore, it is essential that leaders weigh the pros and cons of both ethical and unethical leadership before making a decision. As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will be happy to answer them.