The Four Principles of Ethical Management
Ethical Management: Are You Leading with Integrity?
Table Of Content
As a manager, your decision-making skills will constantly be put to the test.
While it’s natural to be guided by personal morals and beliefs, it’s crucial to set those aside when needed in order to evaluate each situation objectively and make the most ethical choices for your team and organization.
But how exactly can you do that?
Let’s start by understanding what managerial ethics really means.
What Are Managerial Ethics?
Managerial ethics refers to the moral standards and principles that guide a manager’s actions, particularly in how they lead others. According to AZCentral, managerial ethics involve “the moral guidance a supervisor provides to their employees.”
Since no single ethical framework is universally accepted, every manager must choose an approach that aligns with both their personal values and their organization’s culture. There are many interpretations of what it means to be ethical, and each brings a unique perspective to the workplace.
Chron.com describes managerial ethics as a core element of business ethics, emphasizing that ethical management is not just about legal compliance—it’s about doing what’s right for employees and customers, even when it requires going the extra mile.
In short, ethical decisions often depend on the situation, but there are still foundational principles that define good management behavior.
What Does Ethical Management Look Like?
Ethical management is about honesty, integrity, and fairness. It’s a leadership style that promotes a culture of trust and accountability.
Management training can help, but at its core, ethical leadership is about setting the standard, treating people equally, and communicating clearly.
There are four key principles that every ethical manager should follow:
- Respect for Every Employee
Treat every individual on your team with respect, regardless of background, beliefs, or role. A respectful work environment begins with the manager’s example. Equality and diversity training can reinforce this mindset. - Mutual Respect Within the Team
Ensure your team members also treat each other respectfully. They may not always agree, but they should value each other’s opinions and work collaboratively. A team lacking mutual respect won’t thrive, no matter how strong the strategy is. - Procedural Fairness
While company policies might be outside your control, you can establish fair practices within your team. Make sure these processes are consistent and impartial so that no employee feels favored or overlooked. - Transparency in Decision-Making
Employees should understand the reasoning behind your decisions. When your actions are grounded in logic rather than personal bias, your team is more likely to trust you and support your choices.
Are You an Ethical Manager?
Here are a few self-reflection questions to help you evaluate your own ethical leadership:
- Do I make decisions based on values or emotions?
- Do I apply the same standards to everyone on my team?
- Do I communicate clearly and respectfully, even under pressure?
- Do I encourage honesty and fairness among my employees?
- Do I lead by example?
A Thought-Provoking Ethics Test
Here’s a quick exercise to help you see how ethical dilemmas are not always black and white. Be honest with your answers—no one else will see them.
Scenario 1:
A pregnant woman already has eight children.
Three are deaf, two are blind, and one is mentally challenged.
She has syphilis. Should she have an abortion?
Scenario 2:
You’re casting the deciding vote to elect a world leader. Consider the following:
- Candidate A consults astrologers, smokes, drinks heavily, and has a history of affairs.
- Candidate B has been dismissed from office twice, drinks to excess, and used opium in college.
- Candidate C is a decorated war hero, a vegetarian, doesn’t smoke, rarely drinks, and has been faithful.
Who would you choose?
Now the reveal:
If you chose to recommend abortion in the first scenario, you would have eliminated Beethoven.
As for the leaders:
- Candidate A: Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Candidate B: Winston Churchill
- Candidate C: Adolf Hitler
These examples highlight an important truth: ethical decisions are rarely as simple as they seem. They require thoughtful analysis and a deeper understanding of the context.
Your Role in Shaping Ethical Culture
As a leader, your ethical behavior sets the tone for your entire team. That’s why many management development programs emphasize ethics—it’s foundational to building a workplace people can trust and thrive in.
Take a moment to ask yourself:
- What are my core values?
Do they guide my everyday decisions? - What are my goals?
Have I written them down? Are they aligned with ethical leadership? - Do I need to build new skills?
Could I benefit from training, books, or courses on ethical leadership? - What are my standards?
Do I aim for excellence or settle for mediocrity? - Do I practice what I preach?
Am I modeling the behavior I expect from my team?
Additional Resources on Ethical Management
Looking to dive deeper into ethical leadership? Here are two recommended reads:
