Shadow Side of Leadership examines the important topic of leadership’s dark side. Chapter 1 outlines common shadows cast by leaders: abuse of p

The Grey Area of Ethics

July 4, 2021

 https://sites.psu.edu/leadership/2021/07/04/the-grey-area-of-ethics/#:~:text=This%20grey%20area%20is%20where,often%20differ%20from%20one%20another.

The principles of ethics are a vital part of historical values that have grown over time, allowing for safer and more equal work environments. The laws of ethics protect us from sexism, discrimination, disrespect, confidentiality breaches, and are overall concerned with people’s welfare (American Psychological Association, 2017). Although ethical principles of leadership seem very cut and dry, respect others and do no harm, there is an overwhelming grey area. In his article overlooking business characteristics involving ethics, Cremer (2013) suggests that there is a certain level of unethical decision-making that we, the public, often accept as normal. There is no clear definition of this grey area of ethics, and no sound solution on how to close this gap, so it is left to the devices of our subjective moral judgments on how to handle certain ethical situations. Cremer (2013) identifies two business observations: the ability to push limits without exceeding the law, and the lack of responsibility within the grey areas of ethics. According to this, the suggested boundary between ethical and non-ethical is the law and the amount of responsibility there is to take. 

Ethics is concerns with values and morals and how these two components can be added together to safeguard the welfare of others and protect their privacy, dignity, and personal values. Morals are defined as a person’s individual motivation for their behavior in response to what they believe is right and wrong, and a person’s values are what they believe to be personally and socially acceptable (PSU WC, L. 14, 2021). “Business ambition often lies in the extent to which one is willing to push the limits” (Cremer, 2013). How far is a person willing to push the ethical limits of a certain situation to benefit themselves or the organization? More interestingly, how far is too far to push and pull within the grey area of ethics? As Cremer (2013) suggested in his article, the law is the “too far” point, but he also suggests that small slip ups in our ethical principles can soon develop into full-blown misconduct and illegal practices. This grey area is where the expansion of unethical behavior begins as a leader slowly tests the limits until it escalates beyond what is just considered moral injustice (Cremer, 2013).  

When it comes to our morals and values as a human and leader, we often differ from one another. Behavioral studies suggest that if we can rationalize our decisions, we can feel comfortably make them (Cremer, 2013) and this can mean that some rationalizations are more extraordinary than others. Cremer (2013) also claims that business, by default, is a grey area in itself and is often synonymous with this type of self-justifiable decision making. We, the public, automatically assume that many large corporations and enterprises are intertwined with unethical, and sometimes illegal, behaviors but they are often overlooked so long as they are within a certain realm of the grey area. As explained earlier though, it becomes a slippery slope the closer that business gets to stepping outside of that realm. 

Studies have concluded that unethical behavior is more often found in cases where it is rewarded, ignored, or where there were no ethics policies instated to begin with (PSU WC, L. 14, 2021). If what Cremer (2013) states is true, the conclusions in these studies are relative to his proposition that the assumed grey area in the business world is one of the instances in which promotes unethical behavior. One of the weaknesses states for ethics in leadership is that is takes an elevated level of thought and understanding of moral and ethical behavior and few people achieve that level (PSU WC, L. 14, 2021). This lack of ethical education and understanding could be a large contributor to the broadened grey area of ethics, the simplicity of rationalization, and the assumed level of immoral character that is allowed in a setting. 

The deviation from ethical boundaries is a widespread issue that is related to multiple conclusions, phenomena, and behavioral reasoning. Each person differs in their values, morals, judgement, and goals, making the grey area a whirlwind of unethical opportunity with very thin boundaries and low expectations. It can be concluded from behavioral studies and the weaknesses found in this leadership theory that ethical leadership can be attained from education, empathy, and care for the community. The area that divides law and ethics is dangerous to dive into, but it can often be unavoidable in most every profession. It may be the most disturbing to realize that many of these unethical behaviors are promoted and rationalized because until they cross the line of unlawfulness, they are overlooked by officials, and the public is overpowered by money, greed, and ignorance. 

References 

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association.  https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index  

Cremer, D. D. (2013, June 19). Business ethics: Black, white, or grey? London Business School.  https://www.london.edu/think/business-ethics-black-white-or-grey . 

Pennsylvania State University World Campus. (2021). PSYCH 485 | Lesson 14: Ethics and Leadership https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2137573/modules/items/32271438 

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ETHICS AND THE LAW

Ethics is often erroneously confused with compliance with the law. In reality, ethics is much broader than the law. In this chapter, however, the focus is on compliance with the law. Ethics and law seem tightly intertwined for obvious reasons. Violation of laws related to ethics can lead to ones and penalties for organizations and individuals, can end in debarment, or can cause a public relations disaster. Ethical situations and transgressions that do not involve the law, more Offer than not, are dealt with in a much quieter way. legal penalties for violations are often substantial and, consequently, demand, immediate attention.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW AND ETHICS

It behooves organizations, and in some instances individuals, to keep the following guidelines in mind when considering ethics and the law. First, recognize that compliance includes more than the law—for example, adhering to policies, procedures, and methodologies of an organization. Most organizations circle around compliance with the law, but not always. For example, compliance with a methodology may not involve compliance with the law but may require compliance with management direction or a specific contract with a customer.

Second, recognize that compliance is not passive; it is very active. Organizations, at all levels, must make a concerted effort to demonstrate compliance with the law. We absence of an ethical situation or transgression does not mean compliance with the law. More oven than not, compliance with the law must be demonstrated, meaning exercising such concepts as due diligence and due care. For example, tests should be

ETHICS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

administered to ensure compliance with quality standards dictated by the law; it cannot be assumed that compliance will just happen. Third, understand that noncompliance requires taking corrective action. Failure to comply, especially if awareness of its existence occurs and nothing is done, can result in sit penalties both for the organization and the individuals involved. For example, it is dangerous to assume that a serious violation of a law on the project will go away simply by ignoring it or hoping that no one says anything to be absolved of responsibility.

Fourth, have a good understanding of any applicable laws, but do not act as an attorney. Project managers manage projects; that is their expertise. Unless they have a strong legal background or are an attorney, they should rely on experts to help with questions regarding the law. Overtimes, the law can be vague and convoluted, and interpreting without the expertise can have dire consequences for the organization and involved individuals. For example, export laws can be very complex, and the company’s attorney can help interpret them.

Fifth realize that compliance does not stop unethical behavior; it simply minimizes the probability of occurrence. Just because a law exists, and an organization embraces the law does not mean people on the team or the parent organization are obeying it. Compliance requires ongoing awareness and, in some cases, continuous monitoring. For example, it makes good sense to have an idea of what laws apply to the project and to revisit them during the course of the project to determine the degree of compliance.

Sixth, recognize that noncompliance can result from internal and external circumstances. For example, partnerships and other strategic alliances in which the project may be involved do not necessarily exempt individuals or the project from responsibility for compliance; a close working relationship could lead to legal complications without anyone realizing it.

Seventh, be aware of the ethical laws applicable to the project and have a good understanding of the content and scope of those laws. When it comes to compliance, knowledge is the best protection. Again, when in doubt, contact the experts. For example, large companies especially have procurement specialists, lawyers, and contract specialists available for consultation.

Eighth, do not let current conduct and custom be a substitute for compliance with the law. Conduct and custom are good guides, but both may be tolerating noncompliance. For example, what may be customary in China or Italy may not be legal according to the home country’s laws.

ETHICS AND THE LAW

Ninth, don’t gamble with obeying the law by calculating the acceptable loss or threshold in terms of nes, because nes are only one part of the equation. Here is also the potential for debarment, imprisonment, and a tarnished reputation, which are incalculable and can go way beyond the purview and time frame of the project.

Tenth, corporate social responsibility dictates that individuals and the project comply with the law. Some companies have considerable economic, social, and political power that can impact society in many ways. Failure to comply with relevant laws can result in negative consequences that go beyond the law. e same applies to a large project or program. Knowingly, and sometimes unknowingly, violating the law can harm people, their trust, and the organization’s credibility as an institution. For example, a blatant violation of hazmat laws not only has legal ramifications but also can cause physical and emotional problems.

It is a fact of life in business that the laws originate from many different jurisdictions. In the United States, businesses must follow federal law originating not just from congress but also from many branches and agencies in the United States. Some of these agencies are semiprivate, while others are public. Here is a sample list of agencies and other entities at the federal

level that you or your organization may have to deal with and comply with

their regulations:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Bureau of Industry and Security

Commodity Credit Corporation

Council on Environmental Quality

Customs and Border Protection

Department of Commerce

Department of Treasury

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council

Food and Drug Administration

International Trade Administration

National Labor Relations Board

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Office of Federal Procurement Policy

Office of Government Standards

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

Ethics and Project Management

Securities and Exchange Commission

U.S. Customs Service

U.S. Export-Import Bank

U.S. Federal Trade Commission

U.S. Trade Representative

In addition to the federal institutions, a wide of array of laws exist at the state and local levels as well as in other countries and within specific jurisdictions for each one. As if that is not enough, businesses may have to follow international guidelines and rules, some of which may be public or private:

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Caux Round Table Business Principles of Ethics

Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention

European Union (EU)

General Agreement on Taris and Trade (GATT)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

United Nations Convention on Contracts for International Sale of Goods (CISG)

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The bottom line is that it is necessary to know, based on the scope of the project, at least what laws apply to the project and then to become familiar with them. If there are questions or doubts, check with the appropriate legal experts.

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Essay Submittal Format-Graduate

You should complete the essay with a minimum of 1000 words (about 2 double spaced pages). You should use this template that follows:

Review of Subject

The answer in a brief paragraph with any table or list to demonstrate you know the content of the material. No opinions, discussions, conclusions are to be reviewed in this section – just the facts of the subject in a clear concise answer. This section should be no more than 100 words.

Discussion

This section provides you the opportunity to outline and review your ideas about the essay question, where it applies in business, what applications or sections that the content is important, and where it might be applicable in your own company. Six hundred (600) words are more than sufficient to cover this section. Originality, creativity, application to practical everyday business problems is the key to answering this section. Research to find several important aspects about the subject question in the Midway University Library is expected.

Conclusions

Your conclusions incorporate the Review of Subject (facts) and Discussion (opinions) into a crisp series of supporting findings based on your research. This section should support your position and show careful thought and good reasoning in your essay conclusions. The conclusion section should also demonstrate that you thoroughly understand the material. This section requires at least 100 words.

References

A separate page in APA format included with your submittal with Title page and references listed is required. You should consider at least three to five references per submittal. More may be required to support your conclusions. The references should be the most current data.

You should try to submit an error free document. That means no grammar and misspellings please. Use your Word editor and remove or correct each mistake before submittals. Your grade on writing rubric depends upon good writing style. No passive sentences in your submittal are accepted. This is a great course with a solid textbook and plenty of great research subjects. More research means a better grade. Use the Cogswell Library resources, and you will excel! Grammarly is also a great resource.

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Getting It Together Laws, Morals, Values, and Ethics

These two terms are closely related and slightly different. The core difference between Law and Ethics. Laws and ethics are guidelines and rules in society. Ethics originated from the society.

The main difference between law and ethics is that ethics are the moral values and principles that are adapted socially from our surrounding while Laws are the rules and regulations that are set by the authorities.

What Is Law?

Law is a set of rules and regulations enforced by the authority to control human behaviors for the common good. Violation of these rules and regulations tend to result in penalties or punishment from the court of law. Examples of penalties are sanctions and punishment is imprisonment.

However, these laws can easily be changed according to the need and demand of maintaining certain conditions in a society.

What Is Ethics?

Ethics are moral values and principles that govern the behavior of an individual. Ethics help to choose what is right and wrong. Ethics are highly susceptible to changes due to new inventions, ideas and information. It also tends to vary from nation to nation, culture to culture and country to country. The good news is that failure to adhere to the ethics do not result in penalties and punishment. However, it fosters one self-respect.

Basic Terms	Law	Ethics
Definition	Refers to a set of rules and regulation that govern behavior in society and they enforced by authority	Refers to morals and principles that control the behavior of individuals in society.
Codes	Individuals are required to obey them	Individuals are required to conform to them
Governed By	Government	Individual, Legal and Professional norms
Violation	Lead to penalties and punishment	No penalties and punishment
Type	Occur in a written document	Tend to be non-written
Makers	Lawyers and legislature	Religious leaders, philosophers, and elders
Application	Country, state and place of crime	Universal and can be applied anywhere
Objective	Maintain social order and peace in the society	Help people to choose what is right or wrong
Binding	Legal binding	Do not have a binding thing
Characteristics	It is enforced. It needs to be published. It is consistent. It needs to be obeyed.	It cannot be enforced. It need not be published. It may or may not be consistent. It is not necessary to obey.

What are 3 types of ethics?

Philosophers today usually divide ethical theories into three general subject areas: metaethics, Metaethics investigates where our ethical principles come from, and what they mean normative ethics, that branch of Moral philosophy, or Ethics, concerned with criteria of what is morally right and wrong. It includes the formulation of moral rules that have direct implications for what human actions, institutions, and ways of life should be like.  and applied ethics refers to the practical application of moral considerations. It is ethics with respect to real-world actions and their moral considerations in the areas of private and public life, the professions, health, technology, law, and leadership.

Main Difference between Law and Ethics

Laws are a set of rules and regulations enforced by the government or authorities	ethics are morals and principles adapted by society from the environment.
Failure to follow laws can result in penalties and punishment	ethics do not attract penalties and punishment.
Laws are made by lawyers and legislature	ethics by religious leaders, philosophers and elders in the family.
Laws are a must to be followed	ethics are values to be considered to be a positive attitude to follow.
laws can be changed by authorities based on demand and need for maintaining certain conditions in the society.	Ethics are prone to changes due to new inventions, ideas and information
Laws are made from ethics as a guiding principle	ethics are moral values of oneself or society
Laws tend to be the same in a country	ethics tend to vary from one city to another.
may or may not have an impact on laws.	Religion tends to have a direct impact on ethics
Laws are in a written document	ethics are not written
The court is responsible to decide which law has been broken	society judge someone based on ethical issues.
Laws create a legal binding	ethics do not have a binding thing

A person who knows the difference between right and wrong and chooses right is moral. A person whose morality is reflected in his willingness to do the right thing – even if it is hard or dangerous – is ethical. Ethics are moral values in action. Being ethical is an imperative because morality protects life and is respectful of others – all others. It is a lifestyle that is consistent with mankind’s universal values as articulated by the American Founding Fathers – human equality and the inalienable right to life. As warriors it is our duty to be protectors and defenders of the life value and to perform the unique and difficult mission of taking the lives of those acting immorally (against life) when necessary to protect the lives of innocent others. When you must kill protecting life it is still hard, but it is moral. Those who kill those not observant of their narrow relative religious, ethnic or criminal values – in other words, kill over relative values – are immoral. A dedication to protecting the life value of self and others – all others – makes the Ethical Warrior different and moral.

Corporate the Characteristics and Values that Most People Associate with Ethical behavior.Examples of principles inc

How do we differentiate between ethical and legal behavior in the workplace?

Legal standards are those standards that are set forth in governmental laws. Ethical standards are based on the human principles of right and wrong. The differences between them are these: Legal standards are based on written law, while ethical standards are based on human rights and wrongs.

Why do we need ethics?

This is the moral point of view.

We need to be ethical because it defines who we are individually and as a society. These are norms of behavior that everyone should follow. Our society might fall into chaos if we accept that each of us could pick and choose what the right thing to do is. …

Why are ethics important in law?

Ethics are principles and values, which together with rules of conduct and laws, regulate a profession, such as the legal profession. They act as an important guide to ensure right and proper conduct in the daily practice of the law. Areas covered by ethical standards include: … Human rights and access to justice.

Why do we study ethics?

One reason to study ethics is that ethics is undeniable. … The study of ethics should also lead one to develop skills in expressing your own values, to provide others with reasons for your actions and give you the means of questioning the values of others.

What are the pillars of ethics?

The five pillars are veracity (to tell the truth), non-maleficence (to do no harm), beneficence (to do good), confidentiality (to respect privacy), and fairness (to be fair and socially responsible).

Ethics vs Morals vs Law

Published on August 4, 2017

What are Values, Morals, and Ethics?

Written by Carter McNamara

What are Values?

According to the dictionary, values are “things that have an intrinsic worth in usefulness or importance to the possessor,” or “principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable.”

However, it is important to note that, although we may tend to think of a value as something good, virtually all values are morally relative – neutral, really – until they are qualified by asking, “How is it good?” or “Good to whom?” The “good” can sometimes be just a matter of opinion or taste, or driven by culture, religion, habit, circumstance, or environment, etc.

Again, almost all values are relative. The exception, of course, is the value of life. Life is a universal, objective value. We might take this point for granted, but we all have the life value, or we would not be alive. Life is also a dual value – we value our own life and the lives of others

What are Morals?

Moral values are relative values that protect life and are respectful of the dual life value of self and others. The great moral values, such as truth, freedom, charity, etc., have one thing in common. When they are functioning correctly, they are life protecting or life enhancing for all. But they are still relative values.

Our relative moral values must be constantly examined to make sure that they are always performing their life-protecting mission. Even the Marine Corps core values of “honor, courage and commitment” require examination in this context.

Courage can become foolish martyrdom, commitment can become irrational fanaticism, honor can become self-righteousness, conceit, and disrespect for others. Our enemies have their own standard of honor, they have courage, and they are surely committed. What sets us apart? Respect for the universal life value sets us apart from our enemies.

What is Ethics?

A person who knows the difference between right and wrong and chooses right is moral. A person whose morality is reflected in his willingness to do the right thing – even if it is hard or dangerous – is ethical. Ethics are moral values in action.

Being ethical id an imperative because morality protects life and is respectful of others – all others. It is a lifestyle that is consistent with mankind’s universal values as articulated by the American Founding Fathers – human equality and the inalienable right to life.

As warriors it is our duty to be protectors and defenders of the life value and to perform the unique and difficult mission of taking the lives of those acting immorally (against life) when necessary to protect the lives of innocent others.

When you must kill protecting life it is still hard, but it is moral. Those who kill those not observant of their narrow relative religious, ethnic or criminal values – in other words, kill over relative values – are immoral. A dedication to protecting the life value of self and others – all others – makes the Ethical Warrior different and moral.

The Definitions in Action — Sample Story: “The Bully”

If all of that is a little too philosophical, we also created this vignette to explain the terms in a more down-to-earth way. We call it:

You are a kid in the schoolyard. You see a bully. He thinks he is the “top dog.” That is fine. That perception is a relative value. But when his relative value supersedes the life value of another kid – in other words, when the bully picks on and/or punches the other kid – this is wrong and must be stopped. Here is the rule: relative values, no matter how “great,” cannot supersede the life value.

You see the bully picking on the other kid. You feel – in your gut – that this is wrong. Congratulations, you are moral. (By the way, most people are moral – they know the difference between right and wrong)

Now…you see the bully picking on the other kid. You overcome the “freeze,” you overcome the embarrassment, and you go tell a teacher. Congratulations! You are ethical. (Ethics are moral values in action).

Now…you see the bully picking on the other kid. You overcome the “freeze,” you overcome the fear, and you go to the aid of the kid being bullied. You put yourself at risk. Congratulations! You have the makings of an Ethical Warrior.

And it doesn’t end in the schoolyard. Almost all problems in our society and the world are caused by bullies – those who would supersede the life value of others with their own relative values. Ethical Marine Warriors counter the bullies.

Summary

The core difference between law and ethics is that disobedience of law attracts penalties and punishment. Laws are the minimum standards of behavior established by statutes for a population or profession. While ethics there is no punishment but result in social isolation. However, ethics are a fundamental principle of law. Ethics refers to moral conduct (right and wrong behavior, “good” and “evil”).

What is different between ethics and morality?

While they’re closely related concepts, morals refer mainly to guiding principles, and ethics refer to specific rules and actions, or behaviors. A moral precept is an idea or opinion that’s driven by a desire to be good. An ethical code is a set of rules that defines allowable actions or correct

Do we need ethics if we have laws?

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