Personal Ethics Reflection Paper
Introduction
I have always aspired to be a leader and not only a common leader but an exceptional leader who is able to incorporate knowledge gained in class to everyday activities of my organization Pacific Georgia. To be able to attain this lifetime goal, I have engaged in continuous search for knowledge and insights by pursuing an EMBA program, as well as, carrying out intensive discussions with leaders who have inspired me. Consequently, I have been able to gain immense insights of the ethical foundations of organization together with their effects on the entire society both negative and positive. Among the many challenges to the ethical foundation is the ability to implement the knowledge into practice which will enable Pacific Georgia attain an opportunity to avail an organization structure where everyone is recognized. I believe that when Pacific Georgia becomes a place of commons, we are going to attain our goals, higher profits, as well as, an enhanced public image.
My story
I am the sales leader at Pacific Georgia, a tissue, pulp and paper producing firm where part of my duties involve leading a team of sales men and women towards increasing the number pf products from Pacific Georgia being sold in the market. The market is very competitive at the moment and most sales leaders have adopted all sorts of unprofessional behaviors to enable them achieve their targets (Beauchamp and Bowie, 2008).
I have always believed in honesty, as well as, transparency in the procedure involved to obtain the results rater than the outcome of sales. This is what made me join an EMBA degree program to arm myself with basics and theoretical knowledge regarding the ethical issues that surround leadership. From previous events in my life, I have found out that leaders are equivocal at making their organizations succeed by adopting behaviors that are ethical and which are emulated by other employees hence productivity is enhanced(Kahane, 2004).
Over the years, I have realized that one aspect of leadership has been constant such that each and every day it is observed in organizational settings. This aspect called change is with us day in day out and only leaders who have been through EMBA are well equipped to handle this phenomenon. Consequently, the workplace is presented by diverse cultures and members of different ethnical backgrounds such that it is significant to develop a common ground for everyone. This will be vital at reducing conflicts and instilling teamwork spirit among different categories of employees. Therefore, my idea of a good leader is one who is able to adhere to the code of ethics set up by the organization. Similarly, leaders should be role models to the society and organization in their conduct which is one of my key inspirations to pursuing the EMBA (Jaworski, 1996).
During the EMBA program, I learnt that it is not enough for leaders to know all about their specific area, but it is equally important for leaders to diversify their knowledge to other areas. This involves having an insight into other related areas for example I new very little about spreadsheets and accounting prior to my EMBA program but now I can carry out various tasks regarding tem without seeking for assistance. This makes me more reliable and efficient as I will in a position to handle diverse situations in my department hence am an asset to Pacific Georgia (Wheatley, 2006).
As a leader at Pacific Georgia, I have obtained intense insights into the importance of dialogue especially among leaders and other employees. I believe that dialogue is a major concept that limits conflicts and disparities in the organizational culture. It is my concern that the contribution of employees and customers to the success of any organization should be upheld to increase the market share of a firm. I have seen many organizations loose clients and employees due to neglect of the contributions made by either. Hence I intend to air my views regarding this revelation to my colleagues, as well as, ensure that participants in my department are treated accordingly. I like undertaking challenges that is why I want employees of Pacific Georgia to feel that the organization cares and appreciates their contribution (Beauchamp, 2008).
After learning that success is a resulted obtained from hard challenges, I will am no longer shy to take up more challenging roles at Pacific Georgia. This has also been boosted by my new attitude towards success such that only those who are daring take risks as I consider my EMBA a risk that was worth. Similarly, the challenges of having to adapt to new ways of learning and application of ideological concepts has increased my self-confidence such that I am able to serve the organization and society better when I believe in my capabilities(Pink, 2006).
Armed with the knowledge obtained in the EMBA program, I want to change the negative litigations experiences at Pacific Georgia into a place where trust, cooperate citizenship and teamwork are instilled. Consequently, I have already talked to my seniors at Pacific Georgia concerning the way in which I want to incorporate my newly acquired knowledge into the company as a way of initiating positive change. This shows that I was not pursuing the degree program for my own good but rather for Pacific Georgia and the entire society. This will lead to an overhaul of the perception others have towards our company, in addition, to ensuring that every employee is recognized. Hence I will be able to create an impact to my organization and the entire world (Wheatley, 2006).
The basis for and development of My Ethical Foundation, and those Responsible
Having worked at Pacific Georgia for a considerable period gave me an insight into the general overview of the firm. This includes substantial information regarding the firms, customer retention, strategies employed to increase market share and ways through which Corporate Social Responsibility affects a business. Such information has been fundamental into establishing the link between success of Pacific Georgia and the manner in which these aspects are incorporated (Kahane, 2004).
Consequently, I also got to learn about the organizational culture, as well as, the flow of communication from top to bottom and the attitude of employees towards their leaders. Speaking about leaders has been fundamental towards development of my ethical foundation as the nature and character traits exhibited by leaders are critical to my ethical foundation. The visionary leaders I encountered at Pacific Georgia enabled me to view leadership in a different way as they are the firm’s image to the world (Bowie, 2004).
Leaders have a vital role to pay at ensuring that customers are able to obtain their preferred product promptly and in the most appropriate form. Hence the quality and quantity should not be compromised as customer loyalty will be reduced by breaching any of the two. Similarly, leaders also have the mandate to treat employees and colleagues appropriately and respectably so that their morale is boosted hence productivity is enhanced. Balancing the needs of these two vital parties of any business organization is not an easy task hence the leaders should be armed with vital skills which will enable them attain equilibrium such that neither party is left out (Jaworski, 1996).
In the attainment of this equilibrium, certain guidelines must be put in place to ensure harmonious balancing is maintained. The customers need to be assured that their product will be availed to them without fail while the safety and well being of employees need to be considered in the harmonious balance. Therefore, the ethical issue arose on how leaders should act and treat the two key parties of any organization, as well as, the criteria used to attain the goals of the organization (Wheatley, 2006).
My ethical foundation is based on Pacific Georgia a place where every single contribution from different employees is recognized, as well as, treating everyone equally to ensure common ground is established for all to stay at the place comfortably. This common ground will entail junior employees airing out their views to their supervisors comfortably and appropriate feedback given. Similarly, the environment created by leaders in the workplace is part of the commons such that the nature of treatment accorded to employees regardless of the code of conduct affects their ability to perform (Pink, 2006).
Therefore, my contribution, in addition to, that portrayed by other leaders will collectively change the entire environment at Pacific Georgia such that the firm will be in a better position to cater for the needs of all partners. Consequently, it’s the tradition exhibited by most companies where the financial goals surpass other crucial dimensions of the firm such as the psychological status of workers and other components such as quality of the product. Such undertakings prevent the firm from attaining its vision and missions as the needs of employees will be as secondary to the needs of the firm. This has negative effects on the employee’s productivity and creativity such that it becomes even harder for the leaders to carry out their leadership roles properly as the likelihood of dialogue being ineffective is evident (Beauchamp, 2008).
Hence, the ethical code presented by leaders is essential towards maintaining a common in the workplace. Leaders are therefore, vital in attainment of this strategy as other employees have the mandate to follow the guidelines of their leaders (Bowie, 2004).
Challenges, Reinforcement and my questions to my ethical Foundation
My ethical foundation is faced by various challenges among them the fact that the whole idea appears quite ridiculous. Not many people and especially business leaders envision attainment of an ideal workplace as possible. Worse still, some of them can hardly attempt to attain an almost ideal workplace where workers and their leaders enjoy a mutual and realistic understanding amongst themselves. This is a major setback as selling the idea of a common workplace where ethics is the key issue and all are treated equally is quite a challenging task (Jaworski, 1996).
The other challenge is altering the general perception that leaders have regarding employees as people who are skilled and able to carry out certain tasks. There is need to change this notion into increasing the insight of leaders such that they are able to view the entire workforce as a team set to work together towards the common good of the firm. This way, the talents and creativity portrayed by different members of the workforce will be identified and used as motivation to increase employee commitment (Kahane, 2004).
Consequently, many people are always reluctant to embrace change especially when it is directly affecting them. My ethical foundation is based on a multitude of changes which have a significant impact of leaders at Pacific Georgia hence intense convincing and proof will be required to enhance a better understanding of the concept. Therefore, the impact and implementation of the ethical foundation may take longer to enact (Wheatley, 2006).
Reinforcements are attributed to my positive attitude and perception towards application of the ethical foundation in Pacific Georgia, as well as, its useful implementation. I am very optimistic that despite the challenges that are affecting my ethical foundation, I shall be in a position to make the other leaders at Pacific Georgia see the benefits which will be derived from applying the skills. Consequently, I have come to realize that risks are part of success such that for me to enact the ethical foundations successfully, I have to engage in a series of risky undertakings which will create awareness to my colleagues who are leaders on the concept (Wheatley, 2006).
The other reinforcement is based on the fact that the overall results of implementing the ethical foundation is aimed at attaining the mission and vision of Pacific Georgia. Therefore, the achievements are not mine but rather for the firm and society which benefits directly or indirectly from our products (Pink, 2006).
The varieties of questions that are related to my ethical foundation include the strategy which will be used to apply the knowledge and skills learnt during the EMBA towards solving the problems at Pacific Georgia. Similarly, which course will the transition from knowing and understanding my ethical foundation acting according to the specified criterion (Bowie, 2004).
Why I believe in My Ethical Foundation
I believe in my ethical foundation especially due to implications of the changing global markets which are calling for more dynamic strategies to remain on top. One of the strategies that can be effective in achieving this goal is through maintaining a harmonious balance between the cultural and human dimension of the organization. This entails availing a favorable organization culture at Pacific Georgia such that the workforce is incorporated fully in the daily decision-making processes in the firm (Jaworski, 1996).
The other conviction regarding my ethical foundation is the role played by ethics and maintenance of commons to the general harmony of an organization. Over the years, many large multinational companies have collapsed or failed due to lack of transparency and unethical behaviors among leaders. To avoid occurrence of the same scenario at Pacific Georgia, I am convinced that application of my ethical foundation will prevent a similar problem (Kahane, 2004).
Consequently, been along time employee and leader at Pacific Georgia has enabled me to identify the challenges facing the firm such that I am taking the initiative as a leader. Therefore, my fellow leaders may comply with the idea such that I can use their support as my basis to approach management and my employer to present the ethical foundation. Similarly, as a business leader, I want to be the change agent responsible for moving Pacific Georgia to the next level of operation and success. As I have always aimed at giving my best to my employer, as well as, the society, I believe that my perception of being the best can be exhibited by the zeal wit which my ethical foundation will be communicated to key players of the firm (Beauchamp, 2008).
Business leaders are crucial at maintaining good examples which can be emulated by other employees such that for any change to be implemented in an organization, the leaders must embrace it. Consequently, quality leadership has been found to be the most significant determinant of organizational success. Hence, I believe that by introducing my ethical foundation, Pacific Georgia will be able to achieve their goal which is very likely (Pink, 2006).
Conclusion and What I learned
In the course of my EMBA program I realized that that I am an achiever and leader as I was willing to take the initiative of pursuing a degree which will make me more competent as a leader. During this period I gained a substantial wealth of knowledge concerning the ethical dimension of any business enterprise. Consequently, I was able to establish a way through which my organization could make use of business ethics to attain common ground for key participants in an organization hence resulting in its success. I also learnt that change is the most abhorred concept in an organization as very few people and even leaders are willing to give up their traditions without understanding the implication of the move. However, through my determination and efforts I will ensure that Pacific Georgia is able to create a harmonious environment for its workforce to execute their responsibilities, as well as, explore their talents fully.
References
Beauchamp, T. and Bowie, N. (2008), Ethical Theory and Business. Prentice Hall.
Bowie, N. E. (2004), Business Ethics; Prentice Hall Inc. New Jersey
Jaworski, J. (1996), Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership. Berret-Koehler
Kahane, A. (2004), Solving Tough Problems: Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities. Berret-Koehler
Pink, D. (2006). A Whole New Mind. Barnes and Noble
Wheatley, M. (2006), Leadership and the New Science. Berrett-Koehler.
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