In reading “What Are Your Values? Deciding What’s Important in Life” by Jonathan Hancock, I was inspired to reflect deeply on how my values shape who I am and how I guide my everyday decisions. In the reading Hancock emphasizes that values are the principles we hold important in how we live and work, serving as a compass to navigate life’s complexities and challenges we face. Recognizing and aligning with these values can help bring clarity and purpose to our decisions, which resonates strongly with my own experiences. Similarly to my classmates, throughout my college years I have encountered moments that tested and revealed my core values. At times, I made decisions without fully understanding why I acted in that certain way, but reflecting on these moments helped me uncover the beliefs that drive me to be better as a person. For example, I’ve come to value hard work, empathy, and family as central aspects of who I am. These values influence my academic and personal life, as well as my professional aspirations, such as my decision to pursue a career in finance. This field aligns with my commitment to ethical behavior, dedication, and supporting others. The article also sparked a reflection on how values evolve personally. Hancock points out the growing focus on work-life balance, which shows the broader shift in valuing mental health and well being over material success. This resonates with my own developing perspective, as I now see the importance of maintaining balance and honoring my values in both personal and professional contexts. This exploration of values has been an eye opening experience leading me to feel more confident in who I am and in the decisions I make everyday. All of my classes this semester have significantly enriched this journey, helping me bridge the gap between personal and professional life and recognize how my values influence both realms in meaningful ways.

Source: What Are Your Values? – Deciding What’s Important in Life

The article from Module 7: “Strong Ethics Provide Guidance” highlights that faith, moral character, and answerability are all key foundations of effective leadership. These principles are needed in order to host a positive, productive environment, and I experienced all of them firsthand during my internship as a pharmaceutical sales representative for CSI Pharmacy. Throughout my time at CSI Pharmacy, ethical leadership was at the core of everything I learned. My supervisor was always accessible, providing clear direction and addressing any questions to guarantee each sale proceeded seamlessly. She trusted us with important responsibilities and encouraged us to take initiative, experiment, and learn from my own first hand experiences. This approach taught me to grow professionally, and her commitment to ethical leadership helped create an encouraging, team-oriented environment. Honest feedback was crucial to our development, and the trust and respect between everyone on the team played a significant role in our success. In the pharmaceutical industry, where trust is a main component of building relationships with healthcare professionals, my supervisor’s transparency and integrity shaped my approach to client interactions. She emphasized the importance of open, honest communication, which helped us maintain credibility and establish strong, lasting relationships with clients. Her leadership not only guided us through the challenges we faced but also reinforced the significance of upholding ethical standards in every professional decision. My experience at CSI Pharmacy strengthened my knowledge on how ethical leadership builds a strong, successful team. An environment that prioritizes integrity cultivates trust, teamwork, and development, which are crucial for achieving lasting success in any profession.

Source: https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654267/mod_resource/content/1/Strong_Ethics_Provide_Guidance.pdf

The article “Needed: Leaders Who Inspire, Listen” showcases the growing demand for leaders who inspire at a deeper level and build authentic connections with their teams. It outlines the needed traits of an effective leader, such as respecting and valuing others, actively listening, instilling purpose, and creating an environment where individuals feel safe and appreciated. These qualities are especially critical in today’s society, where people often feel overlooked or overwhelmed by constant demands. This perspective deeply connects with my experience at Kidsport Gymnastics Academy. As a coach, I’ve seen how genuine leadership can transform not just a team but the environment as a whole. Our director consistently models these principles by celebrating every athlete’s progress, whether big or small, and hosts open communication among the coaching staff and parents. For instance, when we are faced with challenges during classes, our director listens carefully to feedback from coaches and the gymnasts, making sure everyone feels heard and understood. This approach not only builds trust but also encourages us all to give our best. Similarly, at Kidsport, I’ve seen how empathetic leadership inspires confidence in the gymnasts, helping them achieve both personal growth and team success. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening, supporting, and motivating others to reach their potential. At KidSport Gymnastics Academy, these values guide us every day, reminding me how vital authentic leadership is to building a positive and impactful community

Source: https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654268/mod_resource/content/1/Needed_Leaders_Inspire_Listen.pdf

The article “Principles in Management” from the University of Minnesota Libraries explores the essential role that decision-making plays in management processes. It shows that effective decision-making is vital for achieving organizational goals and navigating challenges in a business environment. In the article, it showcases that while making ethical choices is fundamentally the right approach, it can often be fraught with challenges. Key topics were covered in the article including: Understanding Decision Making, Types of Decisions, Decision Making Process, Developing Personal Decision Making Skills, and Faulty Decision Making. The article defines decision making as a systematic process that involves identifying a problem, evaluating alternatives, and choosing the best option. It then differentiates between programmed and non programmed decisions. Furthermore, it takes a step into outline various models and techniques used for making decisions, including rational decision making models and the importance of the group decision making process. As for Developing Personal decisions making skills, the article provides insight for improving your own decision making abilities and how you can highlight the need for critical thinking and reflection on past decisions to enhance future outcomes. Lasty, it addresses common pitfalls in decision making, such as overconfidence and anchoring bias in faulty decision making. I can apply this in a real life situation where I had to use the decision making process in group work through a project this semester. In one of my classes, we had to come up with a pain point and address the paint point as a group and figure out a solution to our pain point. We had to walk through the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling steps to get to where we wanted to be through the decision making process. 

Source: https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654251/mod_resource/content/2/Decision%20Making_Chap11_Principles%20of%20Managment.pdf

The article “Ethics Awareness” highlights the crucial emphasis of ethical behavior in both personal and professional settings. It showcases that while acting ethically is without a doubt the right course of action, it can often be challenging to apply. Engaging in unethical behavior can result in serious consequences, such as legal troubles, lawsuits, wasted resources, and loss of trust. In result, making ethical decisions is vital to reduce these risks and validate integrity. The article outlines six fundamental ethical values: trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, caring, and citizenship. I have encountered these values in various aspects of my life, particularly in the workplace. For instance, in my previous job, I made it a priority to practice respect by listening to my colleagues and valuing their input in the pharmaceutical industry. This created an environment of not only open communication but collaboration as well. Being supportive also played a significant role in our team dynamics, as we were with one another during stressful and hindering situations. We held a culture of empathy, making sure that everyone felt heard and valued. The article also provides a framework for making ethical decisions, including seven key steps that can guide individuals toward better choices. One of the most impactful steps for me is to clarify goals. This moment to plan out the future allows for a thorough evaluation of the potential growth and goals. It is crucial to consider how clear goals may affect you and to seek ways to minimize any negative impacts ahead. By incorporating these ethical values and decision-making strategies into my daily life, I want to enhance my personal and professional integrity, fostering a positive environment for myself and those around me.

Source: https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/accountability/ethics-awareness.html

In the article “Organizational Values and Corporate Strategy,” Guth and Tagiuri state that “An organization’s culture is largely determined by the personal values of its members.” This insight reflects my own experiences in the real world relating to group projects in college classes. When team members share similar values and objectives, collaboration thrives, leading to outstanding results. For example, I remember a particular project where our mutual commitment to integrity and excellence created a positive atmosphere, helping us achieve amazing outcomes. Conversely, in teams where values differ, misunderstandings and tensions can arise, preventing progress.

This concept of shared values extends to the larger world of not only companies but also organizations. Companies that align their culture with their core values often see better workforce involvement and customer allegiance. A prime example is Patagonia, a company renowned for its environmental commitment. By incorporating sustainability into its culture, Patagonia has promoted a strong connection with its customers, supporting its brand identity. Employees take pride in their work, knowing they contribute to a mission they believe in.

However, while these dynamics often play out positively in the real world, there can also be difficulties faced. Not all organizations successfully apply their stated values, leading to disappointment among staff and clients. This gap can lead to a breakdown in trust and involvement, which stands in stark contrast to the ideal situation where values and culture are perfectly aligned.

Eventually, the relationship between personal values and organizational culture is significant. It highlights how shared principles can enhance collaboration and drive success, both in academic settings and within the corporate world.

Source: https://hbr.org/1965/09/personal-values-and-corporate-strategy

In “Do the Kind Thing,” Daniel Lubetzky highlights the transformative power of kindness, asserting, “Kindness is not just a feeling; it’s a practice that leads to action.” This idea particularly resonates with me and my personal experiences working at Gymnastics Gym. In a fast-paced environment, fostering mutual support and encouragement among colleagues is essential. I witnessed firsthand how effective teamwork made a difference during busy shifts while ensuring children and families received what they are paying for. Showing kindness to coworkers creates a positive atmosphere, which can be incredibly helpful, especially when you need someone to cover your shift.

Lubetzky’s concepts also show broader societal trends. In recent decades, movements advocating for random acts of kindness and social responsibility have gained popularity. Initiatives like “Random Acts of Kindness” strive to promote compassion and cooperation within communities. For instance, businesses that focus on corporate social responsibility often enjoy a loyal customer base and higher employee satisfaction. However, carrying out these initiatives on a larger scale remains challenging. Many organizations aim to incorporate values of kindness and generosity but run into systemic barriers in putting those values into practice.

Lubetzky’s awareness resonated with my current college experiences as well. His emphasis on kindness as a transformative force reminds me of my commitment to connecting with new classmates. When I started college, I consciously chose to approach others with kindness, which helped me form meaningful friendships, similar to the connections he describes. For example, one of my closest friends and I developed our bond through shared acts of kindness, setting up the groundwork for a strong relationship.

Source:

https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654233/mod_resource/content/2/Lubetzky_Do_The_Kind_Thing_Chap7_Transparency%20and%20Authenticity.pdf

In “It’s How Leaders Behave That Matters, Not Where They Are From,” Barry Z. Posner emphasizes that a leader’s effectiveness is more dependent on their behaviors than their geographical or cultural background. He argues that “effective leadership behaviors are not confined to a specific culture or country” (Posner, 2013, p. 574). This highlights that while leadership styles may differ due to cultural nuances, the core behaviors that drive effective leadership are universally impactful. Reflecting on my own experiences with diverse teams, I’ve observed that successful leaders earn trust through their actions rather than their origins. This insight parallels the concepts presented in The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, which also emphasizes the universality of effective leadership behaviors through their “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership.” Both texts underscore the significance of actions like modeling the way and enabling others to act qualities that transcend cultural boundaries. Moreover, this article aligns with global leadership trends in multinational corporations such as IBM and Microsoft. Leaders in these organizations thrive because they prioritize universally respected traits, including transparency and collaboration. For instance, in today’s interconnected world, a leader in the U.S. can effectively apply the same principles to guide teams in India or Europe with minimal adjustments, just as Posner suggests. Overall, these insights reinforce the idea that effective leadership is defined by consistent behaviors and actions rather than cultural origins. Embracing this perspective not only enhances my understanding of leadership but also inspires me to cultivate these qualities in my own leadership practice.

Source: https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654208/mod_resource/content/1/Posner_Its_How_Leaders_Behave.pdf

In the article “Moral Person and Moral Manager,” I gained insights into two essential dimensions of ethical leadership, along with strategies for its development and the challenges it entails. A diagram on page four highlights the foundational pillars of ethical leadership, which really resonated with me. Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve often identified with the concept of a Moral Person. In various jobs, I’ve had to engage openly and communicate effectively with colleagues, even when our connections were not strong. By embracing the traits of a Moral Person, I’ve built valuable relationships within my industry, creating a supportive network that I can turn to for help when needed. As a leader, I have also embodied the principles of a Moral Manager. I aimed to set a positive example for my team, instilling high standards and clarity regarding expectations. This approach fostered a supportive environment, allowing me to demonstrate the qualities of a moral manager effectively. The article also discusses the challenge of sharing our values as ethical leaders, particularly the difficulty of maintaining these values amidst various standards we must follow. I’ve witnessed effective senior leadership in my own experience, particularly under a respected leader who guided our team toward success. Although we faced numerous challenges, these experiences provided invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. Ultimately, establishing clear expectations and adhering to ethical guidelines are crucial for achieving our goals. By embodying these moral principles, we can create the environment necessary for success and foster a culture of integrity within our teams.

Source: https://moodle-courses2425.wolfware.ncsu.edu/pluginfile.php/654206/mod_resource/content/1/Trevino_Moral_Person_Moral_Manager_Ethical_Leadership.pdf

After reading the article “Frameworks for Ethical Analysis,” I gained insight into four key frameworks used for making ethical judgments. The first, Rights and Responsibilities, emphasizes the relationship between individuals’ rights and their corresponding duties. The second framework, Consequentialism, focuses on the outcomes of our actions, weighing the satisfactions and harms they produce. The third framework, Autonomy, raises the crucial question of whether individuals should have the right to make their own choices. Lastly, Virtue Ethics considers what is deemed good by the community, highlighting values such as respect and integrity.

The article underscores the importance of applying these frameworks in real-world situations, encouraging us to step outside our comfort zones. But why is Ethical Analysis essential? It offers a structured method for evaluating dilemmas, promotes consideration of diverse perspectives and values, and enhances accountability in decision-making. These frameworks are vital tools for navigating the challenges we may encounter, fostering both critical and creative thinking while encouraging ethical reflection. This helps ensure that decisions are made thoughtfully.

For instance, by examining different ethical frameworks, organizations can better align their strategies with their core values. Moreover, the process of ethical analysis encourages dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, leading to more informed and balanced decisions. Ultimately, applying these frameworks not only strengthens individual decision-making but also cultivates a culture of ethical awareness within organizations.

I can relate this to a story I recently read about Fun and Function, a company grappling with the decision of which target market to prioritize. They utilized an ethical analysis framework to determine whether to focus on institutional markets or consumer markets.

Sources: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2146-frameworks-for-ethical-analysis https://www.inc.com/magazine/201110/case-study-targeting-the-right-market.html