Ethics and Integrity: Principles Necessary for Godly Leadership

1. Ethics and Integrity: Principles Necessary for Godly Leadership Dr. Jim Jeffery Emeritus Dean & Professor Andrews University, School of Ed. jimjeff@andrews.edu

2. What I’ll Cover Today • Definitions of Ethics? Morals? • Are Ethics and Integrity Necessary in Schools? • Most Common Ethical Pitfalls • Biggest Ethical Scandal in US Education • Biblical Wisdom and the “Greatest Want” • Ethical Dilemma #1 CASE STUDY • Unethical vs. Ethical Leadership How to easily tell the difference.

3. Other Issues, I’ll Cover • 4 Questions you MUST ask yourself, about YOUR ETHICS. • Ethical Dilemma #2. The Easiest One? • The Most Ethical Occupations (2017) • The World’s 5 Most Ethical Leaders. WHY? • ECD Statement on Ethical Leadership. • SUMMARY and REVIEW: 10 Principles ALL Ethical Leaders MUST Demonstrate.

4. Ethics and Morals - Differences? • Ask 100 people – or 100 philosophers, for that matter – what they mean by ethics, and you might get 100 different answers. • Many people would define ethics and morality as identical, but it is helpful to view them somewhat differently.

5. Another way of looking at it • Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. • Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions. •  Morals refer to an individual's own principles regarding right and wrong. 

6. Ethics relates to an individual • “Ethics” leans towards decisions based upon individual character, and the more subjective understanding of right and wrong by individuals. • “Morals” emphasises the widely-shared communal or societal norms about right and wrong

7. Morality - community assessment • . Put another way, ethics is a more individual assessment of values as relatively good or bad, • while morality is a more intersubjective community assessment of what is good, right or just for all.

8. Simple Example – Career Decision • The ethical dimension of the decision leads me to think about myself and recognize, say, that I have certain talents, or aptitudes. • The moral dimension is added when I recognize my decision affects others – my family, the community in which I live – in terms of being able to serve others, rather than simply earn an income. Thus, I widen my own perspective.

9. Doing the “Right” thing. • A person who knows the difference between right and wrong and chooses right is moral. • A person whose morality is reflected in his willingness to do the right thing – even if it is hard or dangerous – is ethical.

10. Christian Ethics and Morals • Rules for living are in the in the Bible (10 Commandments) • Ethical Principles are derived from the 10 Commandments and we each must work them out.

11. Potential Ethical Pitfalls • The list of potential ethical pitfalls in conducting the affairs of everyday work as Educators is daunting, and demonstrates the breadth of caution. • Leaders must take care to ensure they and their teams are vigilant in demonstrating through their actions, the highest levels of ethical leadership. 

12. List of Ethical Pitfalls • If any of these behaviors occur in your organization, you must be swift to root them out and to demonstrate what will not be tolerated.  • Some of these are simply mean-spirited, others of course are clearly termination offenses, and one or more could certainly lead to criminal charges:

13. Common Ethical Pitfalls • Cover-ups and misrepresentations in reporting • Conducting inappropriate or excessive personal business on School time • Taking the credit for other’s work • Fraud or theft from a School. • Humiliating people at work • Favoritism • Lying to employees

14. Discussion about These Pitfalls • Which one is the worst? • Cover Ups and Misrepresentations? • WDYT??? • How about Lying to Employees? • Humiliating People at Work?

15. Common Ethical Pitfalls (others) • Stepping on the backs of others to get things done. • Suppressing the rights of others. • Exaggerating facts to advance personal interests. • Promoting territorial behaviors. • Disloyalty to the Institution during difficult periods (or otherwise).

16. Which one is Worst? • “Stepping on the Backs of others to get ahead?” • Exaggerating Facts to Advance your personal interests? • Disloyalty to the Institution… • What forms might this take…??? • Talking badly about an Administrator, Board, Leadership?

17. Why do people have Ethical Lapses • What propels individuals to skirt common sense, fairness and respect for others?  • Many become numb to reality and actually believe that they can take such actions with impunity. • Most leaders value fair play and fair compensation, BUTthere are those who allow greed to creep in and of course, to contaminate their ethical filters. 

18. Biblical Words of Wisdom • Romans 12:9-10 • “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; • "Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters."- Albert Einstein

19. BIGGEST - US School Scandal • The Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal refers to the accusation that teachers and principals cheated on state-administered standardized tests. • Began in 2009 when test results showed statistically unlikely test scores, including extraordinary gains or losses in a single year.

20. The Investigation • An investigation found that 44 out of 56 schools cheated on the 2009 state tests. • 178 teachers and principals were found to have corrected answers entered by students. • The size of the scandal has been described as one of the largest in United States history.

21. The Trials • In 2014, the trial of the School Administrators and teachers accused of tampering with students' grades began in Atlanta. • On April 1, 2015, eleven of the twelve teachers and principals accused of being involved in the scandal were convicted. • Many were sent to jail and lost their jobs.

22. Jail Time for 4 Principals • Sharon Williams, Michael Pitts, Tamara Cotman: 20 years in prison, to serve 7, $25,000 fine; 2,000 hours community service. • Donald Bullock: Weekends in jail for 6 months, $5,000 fine, 5 years of probation and 1,500 hours of community service. • Pamela Cleveland: 5 years probation, home confinement for a year from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and community service.

23. Ellen White in Education • “The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” (E.G. White Education p.57)

24. Ellen White in Education • …..A Noble character is not the result of accident; • …. it is not due to special favors or endowments of Providence. • A noble character is the result of self-discipline, of the subjection of the lower to the higher nature—the surrender of self for the service of love to God and man. (E.G. White Education p.58)

25. Dr. Trevor O’Reggio, AU Seminary • I would paraphrase Ellen White‘s words by saying that, the greatest want of the world is the want of leaders who are not for sale and are not susceptible to bribery and corruption; • leaders, who live transparent lives and are people of integrity; leaders who are not afraid to identify and name evil for what it is; • file:///C:/Users/Jim/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/fulltext_stamped.pdf

26. Ethical Dilemma? WDYT? • A situation in which an individual feels compelled to make a choice between two or more actions that he or she can reasonably and morally justify; or when evidence or arguments are inconclusive; is called an ethical dilemma(Beauchamp&Childress,2001;McConnell,2002). • One action must be chosen because performing both actions would be impossible.

27. Ethical Dilemma #1 – The Teacher’s View • A parent called my principal/president with complaints about my classroom teaching style. • I was never told who the parent was but I was called to principal’s office and told that a complaint had been made against me. • The principal seemed to take this parent’s word as gold, though I receive plenty of glowing reviews from the families of my other students. What do I do?

28. Ethical Dilemma #1 – The Principal’s View • A parent called me (the principal) with serious complaints about one of my classroom teachers and her teaching style. • Over the past 5 years several parents have called to complain. She will be retiring in a year. • As, I’ve done in the past, I met with the teacher to share the complaint. What else should I do?

29. What should the teacher do? • Do I try my best to move quickly past this incident. Or do I confront the Principal? • Do I try to understand my administrator’s perspective. As a principal, it is difficult to ignore parent complaints. • Do we humbly accept correction in any area where we might need to grow and gently set the record straight on untruths. 

30. What should the principal do? • Do I try my best to move quickly past this incident. • Or do I confront the Teacher and give her some ultimatums to improve? • Do I try to understand her perspective and her situation and let it pass because she is retiring. • As a principal, it is difficult to ignore parent complaints.  What is Ethical?

31. What is the Ethical stance to take? • Ethical leadership requires ethical leaders. • If leaders are ethical, they can ensure that ethical practices are carried out throughout the organization. ... • Character and integrity provides a strong foundation for other personal characteristics that direct our ethical beliefs, values, and decisions.

32. Characteristics of Ethical Leaders • Justice. An ethical leader is always fair/just. • Respectful of others. Respect that is given to followers. • Honesty. ... • Value driven decision-making. ... • Encourages initiative. ... • Leads by example.

33. The Unethical Leader Is arrogant and self-serving Excessively promotes self-interest Practices deception Deals unfairly The Ethical Leader Possesses humility Maintains concern for the greater good Is honest and straightforward wweb.uta.edu/.../XIII%20-%20Ldr%20Courage%20and%20Moral.ppt Comparing Unethical Versus Ethical Leadership

34. The Unethical Leader Shifts blame to others Diminishes others’ dignity Withholds help and support Lacks courage to confront unjust acts The Ethical Leader Fulfills commitments Strives for fairness Takes responsibility Shows respect for each individual and serves them. Shows courage to stand up for what is right wweb.uta.edu/.../XIII%20-%20Ldr%20Courage%20and%20Moral.ppt Comparing Unethical Versus Ethical Leadership

35. Ensuring Ethical Decisions • So, given that even the definition of ethics can be unclear, how do you ensure that your decisions and actions are ethical? • Again, there seems to be as many answers to this question as there are people willing to answer it. • One way is to ask yourself four questions about any decision or action you take:

36. Four Questions for Ethical Decision • Kid on Your Shoulder: Would you do it if your kids were watching? • Front Page of the Newspaper: Would you like to see it published on page 1 of your local newspaper? • Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”) • Rule of universality: Would it be okay if everyone did it?

37. Leadership: Visible and Invisible • The visible part is in the way the leader works with and treats others, in his behavior in public, in his statements and his actions. • The invisible aspects of ethical leadership lie in the leader’s character, in his decision-making process, in his mindset, in the set of values and principles on which he draws, and in his/her courage to make ethical decisions in tough situations.

38. Components of Ethical Leadership • Accepting responsibility and being accountable. • Perhaps most important, understanding the power of leadership and using it well – sharing it as much as possible, never abusing it, and exercising it only when it will benefit the individuals or organization you work with, the community, or the society. • https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/leadership/leadership-ideas/ethical-leadership/main

39. Ethical Dilemma #2 • Mr. D, is a math teacher. He complains to his next door neighbor about a difficult student in his class. He identifies the student by name and provides specific details about the student’s academic record. • When asked by the Administrator Mr. D says that the neighbor doesn’t know the student personally, so there should be no problem discussing the student and the situation.

40. “Ethical Dilemma” #2 • What possible issues/concerns might this scenario raise? • How could this situation become a violation of the law, the “Code” or other school /district policies? • In this situation, what are some potential negative consequences for the teacher, for the students and the school community?

41. Ethical Issues • Mr. D may be revealing confidential information, which in itself, may violate public trust and privacy laws. • Also, Mr. D may not recognize that the person he is sharing the information with may have a relationship with the child which may now be compromised.

42. Issues over this scenario • What Administrator responses/actions will result in the most positive outcome? DISCUSSION…………. • Mr. D is not exercising professional judgment by discussing a student outside of school with someone who is NOT directly related to the student’s educational program • How should an Administrator tell him that?

43. Characteristics of an Ethical Leader • the ability to put aside personal interest and ego in the interest of the cause or organization; • the appropriate use of power, which is never abused or turned toward the leader’s own ends; and • consciousness of the human beings behind the labels of “opponent,” “ally,” “staff member,” “participant,” etc..

44. Never Stop Examining Yourself • Finally, and perhaps most important, an ethical leader never stops reexamining his own ethical assumptions and what it means to be an ethical leader. • What does this self examination look like? • How often should this happen?

45. Ethical Leadership in Scriptures • Matthew 6:1-4 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. • "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men

46. Ethical Leadership in Scriptures • Matthew 6:1-4 “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” • 1 Peter 3:8 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.

47. USA Today newspaper 2017 Poll • Which of the following occupations were rated as the “most ethical” “most trusted” in a nationwide study?

48. Occupations Advertising practitioners Bankers Business executives Car salespersons Clergy Members of government Pharmacists Lawyers Medical doctors Nurses Police officers Chiropractors College teachers Dentists Engineers Insurance salespersons Journalist Psychiatrists State governors Veterinarians

49. Top Most Trusted Occupations What do you think is the ONE MOST trusted Occupation

50. Results - Top Eight Most Ethical Occupations • Nurses • Pharmacists • Physicians (Medical Doctors) • Engineers • Dentists • Police Officers • College Teachers • Clergy