Premium
Legal Yes, Ethical No
Author(s) -
Jones Wayne A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of leadership studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.219
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 1935-262X
pISSN - 1935-2611
DOI - 10.1002/jls.21526
Subject(s) - perception , professional ethics , legal ethics , ethical decision , professional conduct , public relations , ethical issues , psychology , political science , engineering ethics , law , social psychology , sociology , neuroscience , engineering
Two well‐known politicians, a male and a female, a republican and a democrat made decisions that were thought to be illegal. The careers and public perception of both persons suffered as a result of these actions. Their decisions would later be determined to be unethical, but not illegal. The problem was created in the conflict that leaders often have in having to make an ethical decision, which can lead to improper rationalizations. Does the leader follow their personal or professional ethics? There is a difference between personal and professional ethics, but they impact each other in the process of decision‐making. Leaders need to be aware of the relationship of personal versus professional ethics, especially when contemplating ethical decisions.