Communication & Leadership Ethics

This course insists that we clarify our personal and organizational values in order to make ethical decisions independently, collaboratively and analyze ethical dilemmas. We did this through the lens of critical papers applied to ethics theories to develop an ethics literacy.

This course encourages an ethical dialogue based on dialogic mindset, organizational ethics and perspective holding within a dilemma. Analytic papers on communication in leadership, value and work-life balance in the workplace.

Arnett, 2017

“Awareness of the bias of inequities opens the doors to change; beginning conversation”

Johnson, 2019

"Emotionally charged conflicts usually involve identities. Identities are made up of characteristics-beliefs, values, customs, allegiances, important experiences-that define individuals and groups"

May, 2006

"What unintended consequences may arise from my actions?"

what/where is moral leadership
facing my white privilege
awakening to our use of confirmation bias
understanding the need to unlearn
getting real with Standpoint theory
relating to the kind of person i am via schwartz's Theory of Basic Values
discovering organizational legitimacy through rituals

ethics impact

Here you'll find a few videos of things we touched on during this course. Particularly striking is the reality tv series Go Back to Where You Came From touching on narrow, racist viewpoints and the importance of staying in touch with our humanity.

Ethics Channel

Go Back to Where You Came From Trailer

03:00

Personal Ethics Narrative

04:42

Schwartz Theory

02:21

Dwelling Place

The container in which we protect and promote; create stability yet push for change

Community of Memory

The organizational conscience and importance of human engagement

Integrative Negotiation

Collaborative versus competitive path to outcome, often in relation to the historical moment

Transformational Ethics

'Incorporates integration, integrity, purpose and values'

(Johnson, 2018)

Ethical Tensions

Tensions that enable or constrain ethical actions: foundational/situational; individual/community; or

essence/existence

CREATING
AN
ETHICS
LITERACY

"Standpoint theory contributes to our understanding of diversity by highlighting how social locations and the conditions, opportunities, and understandings entailed in them shape individuals' thoughts, feelings, and communication."

Wood, 1997

"Any attitude or behavior typically has implications for more than one value. Values influence action when they are relevant in the context and important to the actor."

Schwartz, 2012