Review Questions

  1. Explain the current status of research in leadership ethics.
  2. Define ethics, including its connection to Greek philosophers.
  3. Distinguish between Kohlberg’s six stages of moral development.
  4. Describe the differences between ethical egoism, utilitarianism, and altruism. Give an example of each.
  5. Explain virtue-based theories. How do they differ from teleological and deontological theories?
  6. What is meant by the dark side of leadership?
  7. Explain the toxic triangle. How do the three elements relate to one another?
  8. Describe Aristotle’s ideas on the virtues of an ethical person.
  9. Explain how the influence dimension of leadership creates an ethical responsibility. Why is ethics central to leadership?
  10. Explain the following concepts: respect for persons, holding environment, and civic virtue.
  11. Explain Heifetz’s perspective on helping followers confront and effect change from conflict.
  12. Explain Burns’s perspective on ethical leadership.
  13. Explain Greenleaf’s perspective on ethical leadership and the concept of “servant leadership.”
  14. Describe the five principles of ethical leadership.
  15. Why might ethics vary from culture to culture?
  16. How do the ethics of today’s generation of U.S. workers differ from those of prior generations’, according to recent research?
  17. What are strengths of research on ethics in leadership?
  18. What are criticisms of research on ethics in leadership?