Ethics, Moral Character and Authentic Transformational Leadership.Pdf
ETHICS, MORAL CHARACTER AND AUTHENTIC TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
09/02/2006 12:42 PM
Revised 9/24/98 BMB
ETHICS, CHARACTER, AND AUTHENTIC TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP Bernard M. Bass and Paul Steidlmeier Center for Leadership Studies, School of Management Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6015 Ph. (607) 777 4028, (607) 777 2376 Fax (607) 777 4188 E-mail: bbass@binghamton.edu psteidl@binghamton.edu
Running Head: Ethics and Authentic Transformational Leadership...
Abstract The morality of transformational leadership has been sharply questioned, particularly by libertarians, "grass roots" theorists, and organizational development consultants. This paper argues that to be truly transformational leadership, it must be grounded in moral foundations. The four components of authentic transformational leadership (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration) are constrasted with their counterfeits in the dissembling pseudotransformational leadership on the basis of 1) the moral character of the leaders and their concerns for self and others; 2) the ethical values embedded in the leaders’ vision, articulation, and program, which followers can embrace or reject; and 3) the morality of the processes of social ethical choices and action in which the leaders and followers engage and collectively pursue. The literature on transformational leadership is linked to the long-standing literature on virtue and moral character, as exemplified by Socratic and Confucian typologies. It is linked, as well, to the major themes of the modern Western ethical agenda: liberty, utility and distributive justice Deception, sophistry, and pretense are examined alongside issues of transendence, agency, trust, striving for the congruence of the values, cooperative action, power, persuasion, and corporate governance to establish the strategic and moral foundations of authentic transformational leadership. ETHICS,
09/02/2006 12:42 PM
Revised 9/24/98 BMB
ETHICS, CHARACTER, AND AUTHENTIC TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP Bernard M. Bass and Paul Steidlmeier Center for Leadership Studies, School of Management Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6015 Ph. (607) 777 4028, (607) 777 2376 Fax (607) 777 4188 E-mail: bbass@binghamton.edu psteidl@binghamton.edu
Running Head: Ethics and Authentic Transformational Leadership...
Abstract The morality of transformational leadership has been sharply questioned, particularly by libertarians, "grass roots" theorists, and organizational development consultants. This paper argues that to be truly transformational leadership, it must be grounded in moral foundations. The four components of authentic transformational leadership (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration) are constrasted with their counterfeits in the dissembling pseudotransformational leadership on the basis of 1) the moral character of the leaders and their concerns for self and others; 2) the ethical values embedded in the leaders’ vision, articulation, and program, which followers can embrace or reject; and 3) the morality of the processes of social ethical choices and action in which the leaders and followers engage and collectively pursue. The literature on transformational leadership is linked to the long-standing literature on virtue and moral character, as exemplified by Socratic and Confucian typologies. It is linked, as well, to the major themes of the modern Western ethical agenda: liberty, utility and distributive justice Deception, sophistry, and pretense are examined alongside issues of transendence, agency, trust, striving for the congruence of the values, cooperative action, power, persuasion, and corporate governance to establish the strategic and moral foundations of authentic transformational leadership. ETHICS,