Leadership comes with power. It has often been stated that power is intoxicating especially in instances where it lacks self control. Modern day organizations are keen on the usage of power presented to leaders. The question of organizational culture has hit the platforms both in the corporate and political world. Dale, 1997 states that leadership responsibility brings along ethical responsibility. Every leader has morally binding responsibilities. These responsibilities must fit within the institutions. These leaders are expected to adhere to the ethical standards as they exercise their leadership assigned powers. Fukuyama, 2007 asserts that leadership, power, institutional culture and social responsibility/ethics are inseparable concepts that go hand in hand. Analysis of leadership can therefore be summarized as including the culture of a firm, change effort leadership, prevailing networks of power and ethical obligations attached to the position (Fukuyama, 2007). The case of ousted Illinois governor, Rod R. Blagojevich provides an insightful observation with regard to leadership, power, culture and ethics. Based on this case, a number of alleged breached ethical obligations are discussed. Additionally, areas where sound ethical decision failed to be made as expected are discussed. The governor’s leadership culture is viewed as having given rise to a culture of corruption. The ethical obligations to be discussed include trust, rational decision making, professional conduct, and personal integrity.
Leaders are endowed with public trust. They have a responsibility to secure the trust and use it for the good of the persons they serve. Influencing selection of a senator against the will of the people constitutes misuse of power bestowed upon him by virtue of being a leader and hence a breach of ethical obligation he owes to the people (Davey & Saulny, 2009). As a leader he is expected to champion for the peoples will and not his own individual. Interplay of power and leadership roles result into a culture of corruption because of his failure to act impartially and for the benefit of the community he serves. This brings to question the rationality of his decision.
Leaders have a responsibility of making rational and justified decisions that serve the needs of the people they serve (Fukuyama, 2007). The prosecutor to Blagojevich’s case noted that Blagojevich used the leadership position bestowed on him to further his quest for power over the state in such manner that furthered his own financial and political benefits at the expense of the people he was intended to serve (Davey & Saulny, 2009). In this manner, the leader breached his duty to make rational decisions that further the welfare of the community he was intended to serve. Seeking return on deals out-rightly eliminated possibility of him making any rational decisions. His decision rather than being founded on principles and rational judgment is founded on the gains he expected to derive from the project. Needless to mention that the project was intended for a hospital which served the public and whose interest he was supposed to protect. This act is replicated in seeking of approval for legislations. This amounted to extortion which contradicted his ethical obligation. The end effect is misuse of power bestowed in him by virtue of his position as a leader by creating a culture that does not fit the desired societal norms. Additionally, the leader failed to act impartially as required of him professionally.
Holding a professionally office demands professional conduct from the office holder (Fukuyama, 2007). In taking of oath of office, Blagojevich accepted a moral, ethical and legal obligation to uphold the offices integrity in such manners that favors the will and benefit of the people. Additionally, he is expected to act within the professional code of conduct to maintain a culture acceptable to the society in general. Most importantly, he was expected to use the powers of the office, not for his own individual benefits, but for the benefit of the region as a whole. Accusations of having received funds from projects that he had done little or nothing to further, stresses the ex-governors failure to act according to ethical obligations demanded by his profession (Davey & Saulny, 2009). Though it does not come to fruition, his attempts to have his wife access a position she was not qualified for, further highlights the legislature’s lack of professional ethics. Such actions do not only bring to question his professionalism but also had the effect of denting his personal integrity. Each individual, more so leaders owe themselves and obligation to uphold personal integrity. His misuse of power and leadership for his own individual benefit damages his publicity, dents his political career but most importantly, puts his integrity as a leader to question. His indictment therefore comes as no surprise.
Mr. Blagojevich’s case symbolizes a case of breach of ethical obligations for purpose of power expansion and preservation through leadership positions resulting into a culture of corruption. The culture is however unacceptable to the community and fails to meet the desired ethical thresholds. Ethics remain a fundamental aspect of life that each and every individual must uphold if overall integrity of leadership positions are to be maintained.
References
Dale, E. Z. (1997). The Leadership Triad: Knowledge, Trust and Power. New York: Oxford University Press.
Davey, M. & Saulny, S. (2009). Blagojevich Charged With 16 Corruption Felonies. New York Times.
Fukuyama, F. (2007). Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity. New York: Free Press.