While reading “Strong Ethics Provide Guidance,” a quote that stuck out to me was, “Ethical leadership reminds us we are all ethical leaders who have the power to speak up, to support others, and to hold people accountable for behavior that does not align with the sacrosanct principles of respect, trust, honor, dignity, integrity and responsibility” (Strong Ethics Provide Guidance, Triangle Business Journal, pg.1). Growing up, my sister always told me how actions speak so much louder than words. This quote embodies that for everyone has the chance to do right and good in their life as long as they take it. Ethical leadership can be performed by all and holds others to the same standard.

This article reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia because of the way it conveyed ethical leadership. In the series, Edmund is first seen as the reckless boy, but after noticing how his destruction hurt the people he loved, he turned away and chose to live through his values. By doing this, he was able to successfully encourage and help his family through their trials. During hardships, it may seem more difficult to chose the correct option, but having an ethical leader to help guide is an excellent example for others.

This article also reminded me of the ongoing immigration issues happening in our world today. Instead of our political leaders seeking peace and honest communication amidst this, they have chosen to create fear, division, and dishonesty to their people. This directly goes against this article and ethical leadership as a whole, because people are supposed to look up to their leaders for hope and comfort. These ongoing issues are heart wrenching and have escalated the need and want for ethical leadership today.

This article emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and how inspired leadership begins by caring for an organization as whole. This reminded me of my own life, and the example my manager sets for me. My manager consistently models this type of leadership by mentoring me, her daily tasks, and how she views our workplace as a whole. She not only guides me through my professional questions, but also wants to make sure I understand and feel valid. Inspired leadership enables workers to want to perform to the best of their abilities, and genuinely care for what they do.

This article also reminded me of the article “Personal Values and Performance in Teams: An Individual and Team Level Analysis” since it argues that personal values shape your every way of living, including in the workforce. Inspired leaders have personal values, “It’s an inside-out process that begins with “self which allows them to bring their authentic leadership to others so that all may benefit, learn and prosper” (Needed: Leaders who inspire, listen, Triangle Business Journal, pg.2). If a leader truly holds values close to them, it will be seen clearly in the workforce. Once the process of inspired leadership takes place, one may feel more determined to share this with others, ultimately positively affecting the workforce.

This article also reminded me of the leadership we have as a country today. A common phrase heard during the 2024 election was, “Vote for policies, not for the person.” But, if a persons values and beliefs shape their opinions how would it be possible for a candidate to have positive policies while being a bad person. Values do a shape a leader and the decisions following. Inspired leaders care more for the people in their organizations rather than as a whole, and this should be a fundamental requirement today.

The article “Playing favorites? Hospital boards, donors get COVID shots,” reminded me of conversations at my school after the vaccine rollout. The article explains, “In Rhode Island, Attorney General Peter Neronha opened an inquiry after reports that two hospital systems offered their board members vaccinations”(Playing favorites? Hospital boards, donors get COVID shots, Russ Bynum). This article reminded me of how during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, I remember seeing how families who had connections were receiving the COVID vaccine before essential workers. This made me question the morals behind these doctors who are choosing who they want to give a vaccine to. This privilege should not have arose, and doctors should have followed their moral obligations to follow the law and wellbeing of others.

This article also reminds me of the article “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” for the Rhode Island doctor board members did not follow the Common Good Lens of doing whatever is right for the community and others over what you may value. These hospitals selfishly took vaccines earlier then instructed and used their power selfishly. They should have valued the community and well being of others over themselves. Along with this, the also violated the Utilitarian Lens for they did not think of how their actions will affect everyone and have consequences.

This article also reminds me of the ongoing healthcare distribution in the United States. The government does not supply healthcare for their citizens, and thereby does not distribute the proper resources that are needed. This lack of access amidst the country influences more than peoples well being, but also creates an environment of scarcity. These doctors felt the need to to break their duties and moral obligations because access was not given yet. Without foundations of fairness and access these situations will continue to progress.

The article “LuLaRoe was little more than a scam, a Washington State lawsuit claims”, reminds me of a time I was scammed. I was in middle school and had found a dress I had loved. It was very cheap, but the website showed pictures and reviews, which fooled me at the time. When the dress arrived, it was not the pattern of the picture or the material. I emailed the company but unfortunately never heard back for it was a scam. Scams can happen when you least expect, or are in plain site. It is important to always do your research to prevent being harmed by a scam.

This story connects closely to the “Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases,” for it mirrors how unethical processes are not sustainable and ethical leadership is the only right foundation. LuLaRoe’s deceptive and predatory behaviour was shown through, “It offered stay-at-home mothers or others looking to make some extra income the chance to be consultants after paying an “onboarding” fee that could be as much as $9,000 according to the Washington State Attorney General” (USA Today, Charisee Jones). LuLaRoe failed to uphold ethical leadership styles and preyed on consumers who were vulnerable. They are an example of how unethical leadership is unsustainable and how businesses need ethical leaders to thrive.

This article reminds me of situations where others may be drawn to internet scams in the world. These opportunities may be seen as too good to be true to an outside perspective, but scams happen all around the world everyday. Specifically, social media has made it easier for these scams to happen. It is very easy for someone to interpret a website or scam as real when it reality it is fake and a way for someone to gain a corrupt profit. Another example in today’s world is the use of scam generated calls. These calls will ask for personal information to exploit the user. Situations where scams are involved are never beneficial or ethical.

When reading, “Frameworks for Ethical Analysis,” it made me think of how I have approached certain decisions in my life. For instance, when deciding whether to wake up early and workout, or before dinner, I weigh the pros and cons of both choices, and see which is the better fit for my day. This is similar to the ethical framework consequentialism, for one should always discuss the benefits and harms of an action before claiming it is ethical. Many real life decisions can use this framework for it is always important to know the surrounding information of a decision.

This reading also reminded me of the novel, Jane Eyre. In the novel, Jane is faced with many ethical concerns throughout her life, but always makes a point to try to do what she believes is right. Specifically, Jane fell in love with a man who was already married, and found out after. Jane used virtue ethics to help make her decision of what to do to best act with integrity, respect, and love. Jane stayed true to her values to make an ethical decision, like the reading teaches.

In the real world, the reading connects to whether using pig kidneys for human kidney transplants is ethical. There are many ethical concerns surrounding this topic, but it is important to use frameworks when deciding, “Consequentialism: weighing the benefits and harms resulting from our actions” (“Frameworks for Ethical Analysis,” pg. 1). Weighing the benefits and harms that result from an action is very important when deciding whether this issue is ethical or not. It provides you with the needed information to enable society to succeed.

When reading Santa Clara’s, “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” it reminded me of when I attended the Shelton Leadership Challenge the summer before my senior year. My team in this camp were faced with many challenges where we had to try new techniques to find a solution to a problem. We would use the utilitarian lens of ethical frameworks to make the best decision for everyone in the group, so that we could work as a team more efficiently. This is similar to the reading for it discusses the many different lenses we may use as tools to make ethical decisions.

This reading reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. In the book series, a young boy named Edmund was faced with many difficult situations with ethical concerns. He chose to save himself and betray his brother and sisters because he was scared to do the right thing. This reminded me of many of the ethical lenses in “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” such as the justice lens, the common good lens, and the virtue lens, “These virtues are dispositions and habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential of our character and on behalf of values like truth and beauty” ( “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” pg. 2). Edmund should have thought about his family over himself to ensure the common good of his family, justice, and integrity.

In the real world, this reading made me think of the new technology AI and the surrounding ethical concerns of privacy, employees, and fairness. Using the common good lens, one must decide whether AI is better for society as a learning and living tool, or if it will potentially harm society. It is also important to weigh the benefits and harms to see if AI is a successful ethical tool.

While reading the article “40 Years of Storming: A Historical Review of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development,” it reminded me of a group project I had freshman year in my leadership class. We would use Tuckman’s model of small groups to formulate answers as a team. We went through the stages of forming when we would work together to think of opinions. After the stage storming occurred when disagreements would be debated among the group. Then, norming by working together to get the project done and trying new communication styles. After in the performing stage, we created a project to present and turn in for a grade. Finally, in the adjourning stage, we received a high grade on the project and our team modeled a successful use of Tuckman’s stages of small group work.

This reading reminded me of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe because of Tuckman’s stages. In The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, four siblings enter a new world called Narnia and are faced with many challenges throughout. The siblings successfully work together through the stages of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning to defeat the Witch and complete their mission. At first the siblings disagreed and argued, but ultimately they developed to work together.

Tuckman’s model of group development can be seen in many companies such as CISCO. CISCO implements many teams to work together to create the most care for people, “At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the model was being applied in studies of a wide variety of work settings from project teams to leadership teams and even public health partnerships. As office technology broadened in importance, the model was applied to development of virtual teams” (“40 years of storming: a historical review of Tuckman’s model of small group development”, pg. 118). Tuckman’s model can be applied to many situations and the workplace is a successful example of small group development.

As I was reading “How to Link Personal Values with Team Values,” it reminded me of my internship. When setting up for event days, I would rather get everything done before lunch so that the set up is ready. But, the team I work with would rather spread out the work throughout the day. This text showed me that although neither opinion is wrong about when to do the work, people value different work ethics. My personal values might differ from my team, but we can all work together to compromise and get the work done efficiently.

“How to Link Personal Values with Team Values” also reminded me of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins adventures with a company of dwarfs who are not similar to him. Bilbo values safety, comfort, and the easy path where as the dwarfs valued courage, strength, and never giving up. The differences of values between these characters did cause conflict, but in the end this team worked together to use their differences, “Values provide a language and way of understanding individual differences. They also help open the door for nonjudgmental acceptance of different ways of doing things. Values are powerful motivators. They represent an organizing principle for people’s lives, as well as for organizations” (How to Link Personal Values with Team Values, pg.3). Once the team realized their differences, they accepted them in a loving way to link their personal values to their team values.

Finally, this reading reminded me of environmental companies like Patagonia. Patagonia values making their products environmentally safe and sustainability. To ensure their company values are sought out, they built a strong work environment and hire employees who share the same values. Patagonia linked their personal values to their team values by successfully promoting and demonstrating their values.

In Ron Carucci’s article “Why Ethical People Make Unethical Decisions,” he discusses how organizations often don’t prioritise ethics within their companies and how because of this people are put into situations where their values are not respected, “Despite good intentions, organizations set themselves up for ethical catastrophes by creating environments in which people feel forced to make choices they could never have imagined” (Why Ethical People Make Unethical Decisions, pg.2). He claims organizations put people into situations they never wanted to be in by fostering disrupted environments with unethical decisions and forces being used by their leaders.

This article shows how ethical people can still make unethical decisions. This text reminds me how sometimes an ethical person can mistake what you want most for what you want in the moment. An example of this in my own life is when finishing my work at my internship before I go home. During the last part of work it is easy to rush through assignments to leave early, but the ethical thing to do is to uphold your companies values and my own of doing my best work.

While reading this article, it reminded me of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and how the lead character Huck originally wanted to betray Jim because he thought it was the right thing to do at the time because of his society. After creating a friendship with Jim, he realized that his situation was unethical and that he was going to try to help save Jim for it was the right thing to do.

Finally, this text reminds me of the CEO Enron’s scandal of encouraging his team and employees to act unethical and praise them when manipulating financial records and debt. This CEO did not foster a safe and ethical environment for his employees, got caught, and had to pay the price.