Ethics... everyone seems to think they're important, but no one seems to agree on "where to draw the line."
Over the course of the last week we've had opportunity to observe the arrest and arraignment of Dominique Strauss-Kahn - the now former head of the International Monetary Fund - on charges of sexual assault. As MacLean's magazine discussed Friday at http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/05/20/an-open-secret/ Strauss-Kahn's "predilections" have been know for some time. Notwithstanding the present accusation against him, should his moral character have had an impact on his rise to leadership of one of the most important financial organizations on the planet? Should a leader's "private life" have anything to do with his or her leadership?
My first question would be "is anything PRIVATE any more".....I think it is pretty hard to have any form of a private life these days, especially when it comes to the accusations that this man is facing. That being said, I would have to agree with the text book (pg. 151) "leaders should internalize a strong set of ethics - principles of right conduct or a system of moral values". If a leader does not have a strong set of ethics, and does not set a good example to his/her subordinates, then what kind of followers will they have? Remember the description in chapter 1.....leaders do "what is right".....
ReplyDeleteHmmm... good points Barb. But where should the line be drawn? And by whom? I remember the brouhaha that surrounded Bill Clinton around his marital infidelities. Many called for his resignation with the rationale that a man who could not be trusted to fulfill his marriage vows could not be trusted to be the President of the United States. Others, however, argued that his "personal" relationships should have no bearing on his ability to lead...
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ReplyDeleteI feel that drawing the line can vary by situation and followers. In the situation we are looking at here and the charges that have been brought against Dominique Strauss-Kahn we see that the leader’s moral character has been displayed in a very public manor. The problem for Mr. Strauss-Kahn is that not only his moral character is under public scrutiny, but the public will also be watching the International Monetary Fund and see how they handle the situation. I believe that leaders who are in a more public sphere have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a way that benefits the organization that they work for. The International Monetary Fund is a large organization, thus resulting in more followers. The allegations against Mr. Strauss-Kahn will likely jeopardize his relationship with his many followers in the work place, which may lead the International Monetary Fund to take a strong course of action against Mr. Strauss-Kahn, in the most severe instance by having him resign.
As far as drawing the line goes, certainly leaders should be entitled to a "private" life, which is harder and harder to have these days. However, the French seem very focussed on rights to privacy so I guess it varies by culture. The fact of the matter is that this man is facing criminal charges and there should never be a line drawn for criminal acts - you break the law and you suffer the consequences. This is a moral issue and I think it is quite sad that the more power a leader has, the more willing we are to turn a blind eye to their actions. In chapter 5, the text talks about leading by example. Leaders must hold themselves to high ethical standards and articulate a consistent ethical vision...this must include their personal life. Making a mistake is one thing, but breaking the law is another.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people should be responsible for their actions and held accountable - suffer the consequences. I also believe that one's private and public life should be seperate. Mr. Strauss-Khan resigned his position with the IMF, so that the organization could distance itself from his legal troubles. If Mr. Strauss-Khan is guilty, I do not condone his behaviour, but in the day of 24/7 newscasts, there is a tendancy to sensationalism. If all leaders were jugded only on their moral and ethical values/behaviours, I wonder how many leaders there would be??
ReplyDeleteGood point, Shari! Sensationalism and the media today can break down just about anyone's personal life. I do believe one's personal life is their own business (let's face it no one is perfect). However, where do we draw the line? I think a leader's values should reflect his/her vision and the group they have been designated to lead so they do have a certain obligation to conduct themselves in a professional manner. As for who does I think it is up to us as a society to be more vocal and less complacent when it comes to the way leaders conduct themselves. My personal view is that if you step up into a leadership position, you should have enough integrity to conduct yourself in a professional manner. You shouldn't have to have others draw a line - but that is unfortunately rarely the case. Look at Tiger Woods and the pedestal we had him on for years -
ReplyDeleteIf you choose an occupation that puts your life in the public eye, then yu should conduct yourself in a manner that reflects the image you are trying to protray. I do not belive that someone's moral and ethical standards, such as DSk's should be accepted because of his social status. If he was not the head of the International Monetary Fund, he would be treated like any other citizen; which I believe he should be.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... so should our leaders be held to a higher standard than us?
ReplyDeleteI few points from Chapter 5 of the text book that stood out to me in regards to this discussion where:
ReplyDelete"leaders set a moral example to others that becomes the model for an entire group or organization, for good or bad" pg 151.
"Leaders who themselves do not honour truth do not inspire it in others" pg 151.
"Whatever “true leadership” means, most people would agree that at a minimum it is characterized by a high degree of trust between leader and followers" pg 151
I feel that Mr. Strauss-Kahn has gotten himself into a terrible situation as the trust he had built between himself and his followers has been broken in a very strong way.
I do feel that in certain job's (like Strauss-kahn's) specifically in today's media based world that certain aspects of privacy are no longer available for people. However, as a public figure in a public company I would imagine that people in those positions understand this and take it as a price of having a high power position. Of course Strauss-Kahn's situation is more than just gossip as it is a serious legal matter, and he deserves the ramifications of his actions.
Strauss-Khan doesn't make "ethics an explicit part of their leadership agenda by communicating an ethics and values message, by visibly and intentionally role modeling ethical behavior.” p.169 It seems that he lives by the motto "Do as I say and not as I do" and I think that it comes down to power. He is used to getting what he wants and is not used to someone saying no to him.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote from George Shelley on pg. 168 of the text " Beware of the man who has no regard for his reputation, since it is not likely that he should have any for yours".....this applies to everyone, not just leaders. SHould a leader have a higher set of standards than us.......if they demonstrate a high set of standards, their followers will reflect their standards
ReplyDeleteIf leaders do the right things and managers do things right then Mr. Strauss-Khan shouldn't be the 'leader' of the IMF because he certainly hasn't been doing the right things!
ReplyDeleteI do not believe they should be held to a higher standard than us at all. I do not understand why his actions would be condoned for so long. It sees as if no one was surprised that this happened, and that is what I do not understand. Nobody should be exempt from those types of actions. If someone carries a position of power and leadership they should be required to exhibit some form of a respecatble, honorable quality, and lead by example. I think every citizen should be held accountable for their actions, good or bad.
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