Only for restricted circulation

Training Program on

Work Ethics for Development

Professionals

Reading Material

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management

(MANAGE)
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030

Contents
Sl.No.

Page No

Work Ethics

01 06

Ethics in Public Service A Few Thoughts

07 09

Developing a Strong Work Ethic

10 11

Developing a Good Work Ethic Requires Real Work

12 14

Understanding And Maintaining Ethical Values In The

Public Sector Through An Integrated Approach To
Leadership
Lindsey Marie McDougle
University of San Diego

15 33

Meaning of Professionalism and Work Ethic

Osmond Vitez, Demand Media

34 35

How to Increase Employee Work Ethic

Kate McFarlin, Demand Media

36 37

Negative Work Ethic Definition

Robert Vaux, Demand Media

38

Articles
1

Moral Awareness Among Future Development Agents : An Active

Study
Suraiya Ishak Mohd Yusof Hussain

Motivating Employees to Act Ethically : An Expectancy Theory

Approach
Robert S. Fudge
John L. Schlacter

Integrating Pragmatism and Ethics in Entrepreneurial Leadership for

Sustainable Value Creation
Gita Surie
Allan Ashley
***

1.

Work Ethics

What Does Work Ethic Mean?

Work ethic is a value based on hard work and diligence. It is also a belief in the
moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character. An example would be
the Protestant work ethic. A work ethic may include being reliable, having
initiative, or pursuing new skills.
Workers exhibiting a good work ethic in theory should be selected for better
positions, more responsibility and ultimately promotion. Workers who fail to exhibit
a good work ethic may be regarded as failing to provide fair value for the wage the
employer is paying them and should not be promoted or placed in positions of
greater responsibility.
Work ethic is basically the belief that work is a good moral. Its also refers to a sets
of values that are defined and characterized by diligence and hard work. Work ethic
can as well be defined as the inherent ability of work to strengthen character.
The Importance of a Good Work Ethic

Work Ethics For Successful Careers

Todays business environment is not only fast-paced, but also highly competitive. In
order to keep pace and stay ahead, possession of several key work ethics is a plus
for achieving a successful career. Holding key traits such as attendance, character,
teamwork, appearance, and attitude add value to both you as a person and your
company. Successful careers come in many flavors, but work ethics are a main
ingredient in most recipes for success.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

Whether one is a student or an employee, attendance is mandatory to ensure

success in your personal life. Attendance in the classroom is critical for learning
new skills and techniques. Having this knowledge opens doors and presents
opportunities for career minded people. As one enters the workplace, attendance is
necessary to meet the timely obligations of this fast-paced environment. Whether
attending classes or taking on the role of CEO, knowing ones schedule is very
important. To ensure that a schedule is followed, adequate rest and reliable
transportation should be top priorities. Absences from school or work should be
reported as soon as possible. This gives authorities time to find another person to
help perform your duties while you are away. Plan to return to the workplace as
quickly as possible.

Character is how others perceive someone. Much like an actor who plays a role, the
character traits that one possesses portray an image in others minds. Ones
character develops as actions become habits. These habits reveal ones character.
Eventually, this role determines the outcome of ones life. Being aware of your
actions and habits plus improving on faults strengthens ones character.

Common sense and barbers have long known that two heads are better than one.
Teamwork is what gives strength to a working force. Prejudices and stereotyping
have no home in teamwork. Respect evicted them. Learning to cooperate with your
teammates as well as being assertive is important in keeping track of things. Treat
customers with genuine respect and manners. They are your friends. Team
members should constantly stay up to date with new learning opportunities, but at
the same time, keep confidential information private. Your trust is assumed and
expected.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

Appearance is one work ethic that really shows. Take pride in how people perceive
you. Your clothes should be clean and pressed. Make a habit of bathing daily along
with such necessities as brushing your teeth and breathing. Behavior affects
appearance. Learn to be polite and attend to peoples needs.

A professional attitude towards yourself and your chosen career is critical. Learn to
adapt to the many, multifaceted wonders of life. Be open and accept the changes
that will surely come. No one likes anyone who brags or whines constantly. Let
your language show positive ideas. Your customers also deserve the same
professionalism that is expected by all. Be happy. Let others know that you are
there to help.

Work ethics have been the backbone of success for centuries. By taking the time to
develop great work ethics whether one is in the classroom or the workplace,
success will be there for you. Combining work ethics with professional skills invites
success to a celebration, and that celebration is all about you.
Positive Work Ethics
A work ethic of any kind not only includes how you feel about your place of
employment or position but also how you perform the duties of your job. According
to All About Philosophy's website, a work ethic includes your attitude,
communication abilities, behavior toward coworkers, honesty and accountability.
What sets a positive work ethic apart from a negative work ethic is the focus on
confidence and encouraging interactions with coworkers. Your attitude toward your
job and position in a positive work ethic is just that -- positive. You arrive at work
with a smile on your face, focused on the task at hand and committed to
performing your duties to the best of your ability.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

Why Ethics Are Important

A work ethic, especially a positive work ethic, is important from a business
perspective for the confidence it breeds in clients and consumers. Your positive
attitude and dedication to a client's needs or creation of a product can boost your
business' reputation as a company that deals honestly and fairly. Ethics also work
to build a moral compass within a business and helps discourage attitudes and
business models that seek to cut corners in the name of making a profit.

Impact for Employers

Employers who emphasize a positive work ethic must be absolute in maintaining
the environment for it to thrive according to the Global Ethics University. This
means a business can allow no room for moral ambiguity, rationalization or ego in
its positive work ethics model. Otherwise the strategy may fail. Just one rogue
executive taking excessive privileges, such as private trips on a company plane, can
ruin all the good will built by a positive work ethic.

Effects Around the Office

Ethics spring from within and are difficult to teach in the traditional sense according
to All About Philosophy's website. That doesn't mean a positive work ethic can't be
contagious. An employee who accepts each job with equal tenacity and dedication
forces co-workers to follow suit or risk being left behind. A worker who does all this
with a smile on his face can help others to enjoy the job a little more, thereby
increasing productivity and worker morale.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

Five Characteristics of Having Good Work Ethics

When you have a good work ethic, you are dedicated to job that you deem
valuable. You hold yourself to high standards of responsibility. You also keep
yourself accountable for getting work done right and on time, and for making good
business decisions that help people and companies succeed. Having a solid work
ethic means you understand that productivity, organizational skills, being reliable
and possessing good character are all attributes that successful people share.
Honest
Stealing personal property, sabotaging a coworker's client presentation, or taking
someone's idea and making it your own are all ways that dishonesty creeps into the
workplace. Employees with strong ethics refrain from lying or cheating to make
others look bad in the hopes of making themselves appear smarter. Instead, they
take responsibility for mistakes, own up to failures and keep the lines of
communication open with everyone involved.
Refrains From Gossip
Workplace gossip can be destructive. When employees gossip about their peers,
bosses or even clients, it's considered deviant behavior. An employee with good
workplace ethics refuses to engage in gossip or even listen it. This person will
encourage others to mind their own business, or else address the person or
situation head-on so that assumptions and badmouthing can stop. Doing so helps
eliminate resentment among coworkers and helps keep morale up.
Values Diversity
People with a good work ethic understand the importance of a diverse workplace.
When you value everybody's contributions -- regardless of ability, age, gender or
race -- it allows for more creativity and better problem solving. Diversity in the
workplace contributes to successful client interactions. Overall, employee morale is
higher.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

Respects Others
An employee with a strong work ethic is rarely late. You respect everyone's time,
from coworkers to clients to interviewees. You're also polite, conscientious of
people's feelings and considerate of workers in a shared workspace. In addition,
someone with a strong work ethic uses time wisely so that deadlines are met. You'll
keep personal phone conversations quiet and not disrupt others. Out of respect,
you'll also hear and consider everyone's opinions.
Cooperative
Having a good work ethic means you cooperate with others. While work may not
always be satisfying or enjoyable, you see the bigger picture and do what is
necessary for the team and company. Instead of debating every issue and finding
reasons why things can't get done, you use strong conflict resolution skills to solve
problems and manage the workload.

***

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

2. Ethics in Public Service Few Thoughts

Need to imbue ethics in Public Servants

Government employees collect taxes, expend public funds, control and allot
natural resources and other revenue earning items and gather and process
information for the purpose of decision making, enacting laws and public policies.
They are also involved in delivery/implementation of - justice, public services such
as education, health etc., government flagship programmes, welfare measures and
also involved in redress of public grievances. They deal with elections, day-to-day
regulatory functions, law and order and many other unforeseen events too.

In a large country like India, with many of its citizens having poor living
standards, government has an extremely important role, which is executed through
a set up of permanent civil services. Consequently, unethical conduct by such civil
servants results in poor governance creating trust deficit between the government
and its citizens, finally leading to anarchy over a period of time. Therefore, it is
highly essential that serious efforts should be made by the government to ensure
highest ethical conduct of civil servants in public and personal lives. In view of this
need, it is proposed to develop a comprehensive and high quality module on Ethics
in Public Governance and deliver the same to all levels of government employees
across the country.
Unethical conduct as displayed by some of the Public Servants

Indulging in Corruption in high places by colluding with politicians,
contractors, corporate groups etc.

Committing Petty bribery
Work Ethics for Development Professionals


Misuse of power for personal benefits

Biased decisions to favour influential persons

Pilferage of public funds from government schemes and projects

Manipulation/withholding of information

Deliberate delays in service delivery

Non-application of mind, negligence and dereliction of duty

Collusion with tax payers to cheat the public exchequer

Intellectual dishonesty

Not speaking truth/hiding truth to please bosses out of fear of reprisal

Misuse of government facilities

Nepotism

Cover up of - Crime, Frauds and Financial irregularities

Being a party to electoral malpractices etc.

Abdication of responsibility and passing the buck

Expectations from the Public Servants in Governance

Humanism and positive thinking in government servants

To imbue purity in thought, speech and action

Realizing the dignity of being a government servant

Appreciating his/her placement in government as an opportunity to
serve the society rather than a lucrative position to amass wealth

Understanding the sanctity of Public Funds so that they utilize them
without leakages thereby providing maximum benefit to the citizens

Ability to satisfy himself/herself with the government salary and
benefits and to imbue the philosophy of Simple living and high
thinking

Display of Sense of justice and impartiality during decision making,

Ability to stand up to truth despite adversity, fears and threats


Work Ethics for Development Professionals


Develop self-confidence & faith in oneself and in ones ideas even if

everyone condemns them as wrong

Motivate them to be the change they want to see in the society

Fresh thinking, renewed energy and rejuvenation to do something
extra-ordinary and useful to the society

Empathy for citizens, especially for vulnerable sections of society such
as women, children, elderly and differently abled persons.

Inculcate

Rational

thinking,

Self-accountability

and

Self-

transparency which are benchmarks of ethical conduct.

Finally, to motivate the employees to adhere to higher ideals in life
and to walk on the path of truth and righteousness, come what may,
and become a role model for others in the society

***

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

3. Developing a Strong Work Ethic

If you put your all into your work, good things will come to you.
No matter how tough life gets, if you put your all into your work, good things will
come to you. Staying positive, refusing to procrastinate and maintaining your focus
are all necessary ingredients to building a strong and rewarding work ethic.
Other strategies to becoming a great worker are setting a goal of dependability,
always meeting deadlines and stepping up to fill unmet needs.
Let's look closer at each of these methods to construct a sturdy work ethic:
1.

Stay positive. You've probably heard the expression, "Attitude is everything".

That's definitely true when you're working on creating a resilient work ethic.
Your work improves when you approach it with a positive attitude.

No matter what, staying positive about your tasks will help you become a rock star
at work. You'll not only stand out to your supervisor, but your colleagues will
notice, too.
2.

Refuse to procrastinate. Although you may be tempted to put off doing

certain tasks or projects, make "Do it right now" your mantra. You'll find that
often jobs are quickly and easily done in less time than you would have
spent obsessing about the task.

3.

Keep your focus. When your plans are clear, you'll get more work done in
less time. Put a sticky note on your calendar and computer. Organize your
desk the day before you plan to start that huge project. Start focused and
stay focused. You'll work like a machine when you devote your attention on
the subject at hand.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

10

4.

Set a goal of dependability. When you go the extra mile to complete your
work, people will learn to trust that when you're given a job, you'll do it.

Endeavor to be known as the one whom your boss and co-workers can always
depend on to get the job done.
5.

Always meet deadlines. This point is crucial to developing a strong work

ethic. Do whatever you have to do to meet a deadline. Of course, the best
way to ensure you consistently meet deadlines is to negotiate in advance of
taking on the task, so you have a bit of a say in the schedule.

In the event your supervisor assigns you a project that must be done by a certain
date in the near future, clarify right away with your boss what he sees as your
priorities. This way, you've gained permission to alter the due dates on some of
your other tasks to take on the urgent project.
If you communicate right away any concerns you have about deadlines, you're in a
position to negotiate some of them. The bottom line is you'll ultimately be meeting
deadlines approved by your supervisor.
6.

Step up to fill unmet needs. Volunteering to take on gaps in labor will make
every supervisor you work for the happiest person in the world.

We've all been on a committee where jobs were being assigned, the moderator got
to a certain task and everyone shrank up or whispered, "Oh, I'm not taking that
job!" A person with a strong work ethic views these situations as opportunities to
stretch himself and show what he can do.
You might even discover a special talent you possess when you volunteer to take
on a job. Consider it another line on your resume when you agree to write the
department manual or perform some other task. Learn to step forward to fill unmet
needs.
When you follow these suggestions, you'll develop great confidence in your work.
Plus, you'll discover that you built something durable for your future: a strong work
ethic that will bring you pride, joy and wealth for years to come.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

11

4. Developing a Good Work Ethic Requires Real Work

Some people seem content to work just hard enough to complete the task at hand.
These people are displaying what can be called a poor work ethic. Other people
work hard to complete their appointed rounds, but they are not really concerned
with the quality of their work. These people are displaying a mediocre work ethic.
There are people, however, who work diligently throughout the entire process of a
job or task, and they always do a very good job no matter how much time and
effort they must expend. These people are showing everybody around them that
they possess a positive or solid work ethic. In this highly competitive world,
whether people are looking for jobs, completing degree programs at colleges or
universities, or simply acting as solid citizens, they should show the world that it is
both ethical and necessary to work very hard at each and every task that arises.
As early as elementary school or even kindergarten, young students should be
taught that sticking with a task until it is done well is quite important. Teachers in
elementary school should model actions and behaviors that illustrate a positive
work ethic. Youngsters should realize that any task worth beginning is well worth
completing by doing the best job possible. A good example can be seen in the most
rudimentary activity a young student performs in elementary

schoolcoloring.

When students are instructed to color a certain page in a coloring book or on an

activity sheet, they should be instructed to take their time to do the best job they
can. The teacher should model for the students a process through which the
youngsters can color the picture little by little, taking their time to use correct
colors staying inside the lines as much as possible. Students who are in a hurry to
complete the task in a haphazard fashion should be urged to slow down in order to
focus on doing a quality job. Even this seemingly simplistic task can teach students
the valuable lesson of working hard at all times and producing the best final

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

12

product possible. The sooner people learn this lesson, the easier it will be for them
to acquire a positive work ethic.
By the time students get to high school or college, their work ethic has already
been established, and it will be put to the test through the various final products
they will be asked to complete. Students with a positive work ethic will succeed
much more readily than students with a mediocre or poor work ethic. At this level
the work becomes more in depth and more difficult. Students are left to their own
devices much more often, and the ability to work independently is a necessity.
Therefore, exhibiting a positive work ethic is actually expected of these students
from freshman year to senior year, in high school, college, or at the university. The
perfect example of the necessity of a positive work ethic can be seen in the
assignment of a research paper in just about any class. Usually students are
instructed how to begin the paper and where to find valuable sources, but until the
paper is due in the weeks or months to come, they are left on their own. Students
who do not possess the drive and perseverance to complete the paper on their own
will most assuredly do a poor job, thus receiving a poor grade. This goes to show
that a good work ethic consists of more than just hard, consistent work. Time
management, intuitive thinking, foresight, and, of course, diligence all make up a
solid work ethic. Successful students typically receive high grades, and the grades
are the direct result of a positive work ethic.
Successful employees in all walks of professional life also need to bring a positive
work ethic to the workplace. Competition for jobs in contemporary society is
intense; employers are thus able to scrutinize their prospective employees quite
carefully. Naturally, an employer is looking to hire somebody who is willing to tackle
any task and complete it to the best of his ability in the most expeditious way. In
other words the employer is looking for an employee who possesses a solid work
ethic and is proud to show everybody that he relishes the thought of working hard.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

13

If two employees are vying for the same position within a company, their
supervisor will most likely give them both a similar project to complete. The
employee who does the best job on the project within the allotted time will receive
the promotion. If both employees complete the task within the allotted time, the
employee who has done the best work will receive the promotion. More often than
not, the best work is a direct result of the best work ethic. There is no substitute
for hard work on the jobsite; employers love to see the results of a positive work
ethic.

On the job, in college or at a university, in high school, or in primary school, people

must work hard to succeed. Nobody sets out to fail, but succeeding is not as simple
as merely beginning a task. The late President Richard Nixon once said, People do
not plan to fail; they fail to plan. He was alluding to work ethic. People generally
try hard to succeed, but if they do not bring their plans for success to fruition, they
will most assuredly fail. Planning every step of a process on the way to success is
an important part of a positive work ethic. Some people might think that working
hard comes naturally, and perhaps for some this is true. However, as redundant as
it sounds, a positive work ethic begins with one main ingredientreal work!

***

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

14

5. Understanding And Maintaining Ethical Values

: In The Public Sector Through An Integrated
Approach To Leadership
Lindsey Marie McDougle
University of San Diego

Abstract: Within the public-sector where leaders are held accountable to a wide
variety of citizenry and stakeholders, public leaders are often expected to
meticulously conform to standards higher than those aligned with personal
morality. Accordingly, several scholars and practitioners have attempted to address
the issue of ethics in public administration. Yet, many of the values which have
frequently been associated with ethics in the public-sector are often explored
independent of the broader subject of leadership. In general, however, many of the
values commonly associated with theories of leadership, such as transformational
and transactional, can similarly be associated with the ethical values and
expectations of public officialspotentially allowing for the incorporation of these
ethical considerations into an integrated approach to public-sector leadership. Thus,
this paper is an attempt to explore the subject of public-sector ethics and its
relevance to an integrated leadership approach (where ethical considerations are
incorporated into a leadership framework that includes both transactional and
transformational factors).

In leadership we see morality magnified, and that is why the study of ethics is
fundamental to our understanding of leadership
(Antonakis, Cianciolo, & Sternberg, 2004, p. 302)
Ethics and leadership have often been thought of as mutually-reinforcing concepts.
Leadership can loosely be defined as actions which influence and direct the
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

15

performance of others towards the achievement of organizational and/or collective

goals.

Ethics, for the most part, can be defined as an internal set of moral codes and
reasoning

based

upon

societal

and

prescriptive

norms.

Thus,

ethical

appropriateness in regard to leader behavior is oftentimes evaluated in terms of

abstract and highly idealistic concepts regarding individuals prescriptive beliefs of
how leaders ought to behave. As such, within the public-sector where leaders are
called upon to uphold differing and even contradictory levels of ethical responsibility
it has increasingly become expected that leaders meet many of the prototypical and
idealized expectations of those in which they represent. In an era where high
profile lapses by public-sector leaders in ethical and moral judgment are frequently
exposed, citizens have come to expect increasingly higher standards of ethical
conduct as a broad range of activities are now viewed as immoral (Bowman, 1990).
Increasing awareness and changing societal values have been linked to the publics
interest in ethics management (Maesschalck, 2004/5). Accordingly, citizens have
become more assertive and

demanding toward leaders in the public-sector

showing less tolerance for leaders mistakes, shortcomings, and structural

challenges. As such public leaders are generally expected to meticulously conform
to standards higher than those aligned with personal morality (Lewis, 1991). Thus
public leaders can often find this expectation to maintain collectively high and even
idealistic levels of ethical responsibility to be quite overwhelming. In his
commentary entitled Public administration in a global mode, Gawthrop (2005)
states that as international government systems become more commonplace, the
responsibility for promoting the ethicalmoral values of democracy rests most
directly on the public managers and policymakers of democratic systems.
The common method in attempting to deal with the ethical responsibility of public
officials has been the promulgation of codes, policies, and other guidance
standards. Accordingly, there has been a proliferation of scholars and practitioners
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

16

attempting to address the issue of ethics within public administration through

ethical recommendations, suggestions, and various guidance principles. Goss
(1996) states that:
Within the last two decades or so there has been an outpouring of written
works on the subject of ethics, particularly the ethics of those in government
service. Numerous writers have identified ethical problems in government,
called for moral reform and the enactment of ethics laws and codes, posited
what are or should be the components of a bureaucratic and/or democratic
ethos for public administration, identified one or more ideals or elements of
such a moral guide, hypothesized about a grand theory of administrative
ethics and the duties of bureaucrats, explored subject specific dilemmas in
government policies, urged the teaching of ethics within the schools of public
administration and public affairs, and suggested ethical guidance for
practitioners of public management.
Yet given this recent focus on ethics in the public service, the subject of
administrative ethics has often been explored independent of the broader subject
of leadership. In general, the ethics of leadership and leaders degree of moral
development are increasingly becoming essential elements of private-sector and
mainstream leadership research (e.g. Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999; Howell, 1988).
However, as Van Wart (2003) notes, administrative leadership research has
experienced neither the volume nor the integration of the mainstream literature
about administrative leadership is dispersed in topics such as reform, ethics, and
management, and an explicit focus on the detailed dynamics of leadership is largely
lacking. Further, in addressing the fragmentation of the administrative leadership
literature, Wan Wart (2003) adds that: Part of the weakness in the literature
resides in its non integrated characterThe serious debate about the best style to
use is cut into many parts and is rarely as explicitly or holistically discussed as in

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

17

the mainstreamThe ethics-values literature, for all of its normative robustness,

generally offers few concrete recommendationsbeyond general
admonitions to be responsive, trustworthy, honest, courageous, and prudent.
Several individuals have speculated as to why administrative ethics and leadership
has failed to develop as in the private-sector and the mainstream. Weber (1947)
suggests that public bureaucracies were created to minimize human touch and
maximize standardization through impersonal rules, procedures, and codes. Thus,
through this line of reasoning it can be argued that the impersonal nature of the
field provides an opportunity for public leaders to minimize the ethical dimensions
of their decisions. Terry (1995) further speculates that there may also be a
perception by some that the sector is guided by powerful forces which extends
beyond the control of the administrative leader. Additionally, Terry (1995)
speculates that there may even be an assumption that administrative leadership
does not (or should not) exist due to an instrumental approach to leadership within
the sector.
Thus considering
(a) the proliferation of scholarly and practitioner views relating to the ethical
dimensions of public administration and the ethical role of the public
administrator, and
(b) the fragmentation of ethics and leadership values within the sector, it is
certainly imaginable to believe that public officials may rely on a philosophy
of either or, rather than both and when addressing the issue of ethics in
leadership. This paper is an attempt to collectively explore the topics of
public-sector ethics and integrated leadership as it relates to maintaining an
ethical public-sector environment. The paper will examine
a. the multiplicity of views relating to the ethical roles, expectations, and
obligations of public leaders and the moral foundations of the sector,
and

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

18

b. aspects of transformational and transactional leadership that can be

considered relevant to administrative ethics.

Ethical and Moral Values in Public Administration

Ethics and public service values are important elements in comprising the body
and soul of public administration (Menzel, 2003). Accordingly, several scholars and
practitioners have sought to identify and understand the ethical responsibility of the
public administrator (see 6 Berman & West 1997; Bohte & Meier, 2000; Bowman
1990; Bruce 1996; Burke and Black 1990; Menzel 1992, 1993, 1995a, 1995b, 1996,
2005; Zajac & Comfort 1997; Zajac & Al- Kazemi 2000), and have also attempted
to offer applied ethical guidance and structured theoretical frameworks for use
within the sector (Cody & Lynn, 1992; Cooper, 1990; Denhardt, 1988; Rohr, 1978).
From ethical principals to recommendations, scholars and practitioners have
attempted to classify what are, or should be, the foundations of administrative
ethics, the appropriate ethical behaviors of public leaders, and the ethical role of
the public administrator. Yet, very often the subject of administrative ethics and the
ethical qualities considered fundamental to the public administrators role are
explored independent of values which are also associated with leadership.
In his book Ethics for bureaucrats: An essay on law and values, Rohr (1978) argues
that regime values are the normative foundations of administrative ethics. He later
defines regime values as the values of the political entity brought into being by the
ratification of the Constitution that created the American republic. Frederickson
(1983) however calls for a renewal of civic virtue in defining a central value of
public administration, and Cooper (1991) similarly argues that public administration
should seek its ethical identity in the ethical tradition of citizenship. Accordingly,
Stivers (2001) sets forth the major ingredients of a citizenship ethic in public
administration as authoritative judgment, the public interest, citizenship as
education, and community.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

19

Further in addressing the moral and ethical obligations of public administrators,

Moore (1976) states that public-sector obligations arise from three different realms
which includes: (1) respecting the processes that legitimate the actions of public
officials, (2) serving the public interest, and (3) treating colleagues and
subordinates with respect, honesty, and fairness. Hart (1984) argues that public
administration is a moral endeavor that requires special moral obligations and
unique moral character. While Stewart (1985) similarly notes that the role of a
public administrator carries a kind of moral weight not found in private sector
counterpart roles
Bailey (1965) suggests that the ethical dilemmas facing public administrators
requires specific attitudes that must be aligned with unique moral qualities, and
Waldo (1980) identifies more than a dozen sources of obligations relevant to the
conduct of the public administrators role. Cooper (1987) further presents twenty
specific virtues that directly relate to three broad realms of obligation for public
servants, and Denhardt (1991) identifies the moral foundations of a public
administrators role as honor, benevolence, and justice; while Cohen & Eimicke
(1995) reduce Carol Lewis (1991) twenty-one rules of thumb for the ethical
behavior of a public administrator to five simple principles: (1) obey the law,
(2) serve the public interest, (3) avoid doing harm, (4) take individual responsibility
for the process and its consequences, and (5) treat incompetence as an abuse of
office. Warwick (1981), in identifying some of the common ethical dilemmas faced
by public officials in the exercise of discretion, offers five ethical principles of
guidance: (1) the exercise of discretion should serve the public interest, (2) public
officials should push back bounds on rationality so that deliberation may take place,
(3) public officials should provide truthfulness in the discharge of official
responsibilities, (4) public officials should demonstrate procedural respect, and
(5) public officials should exercise restraints on the means chosen to accomplish
organizational ends. Warwick (1981) further specifies the four sources of ethical
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

20

decision making by public-sector leaders as public interest, constituency interests,

personal interest, and bureaucratic interest. Similarly Cooper (1990) identifies the
sources as individual attributes,

organizational structure, organizational culture,

and societal expectations. In his article Integrity in the public-sector, Dobel (1990)
states that public officials need a complex array of moral resources to exercise
discretion, and that adequate discretion by public officials should be seen as an
iterative process among three mutually supporting realms of judgment. Thus he
argues that regime accountability, personal responsibility, and prudence are the
keys to ethical decision making for individuals in the public-sector (Dobel, 1990).
Further in addressing even the possibility of administrative ethics, Thompson
(1985) claims that administrative ethics is possible if the field can overcome the
burdensome commitment to neutrality and the aversion to assigning individual
responsibility for collective actions.

However OKelly & Dubnick (2005)

unconvinced of this position argue that:

The world of a public administrator] is a world of multiple, diverse, and often
conflicting expectations (Dubnick & Romzek 1993)Effectively operating under
such conditions renders the possibility of administrative ethics, in the sense posited
by Thompsonincomplete and inappropriate, if not impossible. In general, leaders
in the public-sector are expected to maintain a level of morality and integrity which
serves the interests of society while at the same time demonstrates personal
responsibility, diplomacy, and truthfulness. Thus given these views, many people
might say that the ethical role of the public administrator can be summed up as
follows: serve the public interest while being fair, honest, lawful, trustworthy, and
doing the least amount harm. However, it is impossible to fully understand the
ethical responsibility associated with the public administrators role, and the means
needed to maintain an ethical public-sector environment

when explored

independent of the broader subject of leadership. Leadership is fraught with ethical

challenges, and potentially even more so within the public-sector where leaders are
held accountable to a wide variety of citizenry and stakeholders.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

21

Although not a comprehensive overview, the next section will explore various
aspects transactional and transformational theories of leadership and their
relationship to ethics and morality.
Ethical and Moral Value in Transactional and Transformational Leadership
In addressing the issue of political leadership Burns (1978) first introduced the
concepts of transformational and transactional leadership in his book simply titled
Leadership. In the book Burns describes many ethical aspects to leadership and
various dimensions of moral leadership; for example, he notes that moral
leadership emerges from and always returns to, the fundamental wants and needs
of followers, and that transforming leadership ultimately becomes moral in that it
raises the level of human contact and ethical aspiration of both the leader and the
led. However, it was not the ethical elements of the book, but its transformational
theme that brought Burns ideas of transformational and transactional leadership to
the forefront.
As Conger & Kanungo (1998) note, to Burns the primary difference between
transformational and transactional leadership mainly resides in terms of what
leaders and followers offer to one another. Transactional leadership is believed to
be primarily based upon economic or quasi-economic transactions (Antonakis,
Cianciolo, & Sternberg, 2004, between leader and follower, and involves contingent
reinforcement (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999).
In transactional leadership followers are motivated by leaders' promises, praises,
and rewards or they are corrected by negative feedback, reproof, threats, or
disciplinary actions (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). Bass (1985) notes that the three
dimensions of transactional leadership are contingent reward, active management
by exception, and passive management by exception.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

22

In general, transactional leadership is regarded as basic management and is

considered to be the most common form of leadership; however, the ethical and
moral legitimacy of transactional leadership depends on [leaders] granting the
same libertys and opportunitys to others that one claims for oneself, on telling the
truth, keeping promises, distributing to each what is due, and employing valid
incentives or sanctions (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999). Bass & Steidlmeier (1999)
address the moral aspects of transactional leadership by stating that:
Transactional leadership is moral when the truth is told, promises are kept,
negotiations are fair and choices are free (Hollander, 1995). It is immoral when
[harmful information] is deliberately concealed from associates, when bribes are
offered, when nepotism is practiced, and when authority is abused.
Aronson (2001) additionally notes concerning the ethical aspects of transactional
leadership:
According to Bird (1999), transactional leadership appears to ethically appropriate
under certain conditions. For example, these leaders, in emphasizing day-to-day
management rather than leadership, may be instrumental in ensuring that
organizations maintain their formal goals and codes of conduct. To the degree that
these leaders are seen as acting fairly, followers will tend to feel respected and
treated in a just manner and may exhibit higher levels of effort.
Transformational leaders, on the other hand, are believed to focus on higher order
intrinsic needs which results in followers identifying with the needs of the leader. In
contrast to transactional leadership, transformational leadership (also sometimes
referred to as charismatic and/or visionary leadership (Conger & Kanungo, 1998;
House, 1992; Shamir, House, & Arthur, 1993; Waldman & Yammarino, 1999)) was
conceived as leadership which by its very nature involves the moral maturity of
leaders (Kuhnert & Lewis, 1987) and the moral uplifting of followers (Burns, 1978).
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

23

Transformational leadership has been related to the long-standing literature on

virtue and moral character, (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999), and is believed to involve
what Weber (1947) has called non-economic sources of authority. Such theories
attempt to account for follower and subordinate outcomes based upon a sense of
purpose and idealized mission. Accordingly, transformational theories of leadership
suggest that visionary, charismatic, and/or inspiring leader behaviors induce
followers to transcend their own interests for the greater good (Antonakis,
Cianciolo, & Sternberg, 2004). Thus, transformational leaders are considered to be
defined by four main qualities: charisma or idealized influence, inspirational
motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Bass, 1985,
1998; Bass & Avolio, 1993).
Leaders exhibiting transformational, visionary, and/or charismatic leader behaviors
are generally regarded as optimistic, committed, determined, risk-taking, and
conveying a sense of character and inner direction (House, 1977; House & Aditya,
1997; Shamir, Zakay, Breinin, & Popper, 1998). Thus several theorists have
suggested that higher moral development is related to

greater use of

transformational leadership behaviors (e.g., Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999; Kuhnert &
Lewis, 1987; Lichtenstein, Smith, & Torbert 1995). Turner, Barling, Epitropaki,
Butcher, & Milner (2002) argue that leaders displaying more complex moral
reasoning are more likely to value goals that go beyond immediate self-interest
and to foresee the benefits of actions that serve the collective good . As such,
transformational leaders are believed to be more confident in their abilities and the
moral correctness of their vision (Bass, 1985; Conger & Kanungo, 1998; House &
Aditya, 1997), and followers are more likely to have profound trust in the leaders
vision,

capabilities,

values,

and

motives.

Authentic

transformational

and

transactional leadership (as opposed to merely pseudoforms (see Bass &

Steidlmeier, 1999)) encourages and promotes values relating to honesty, loyalty,
fairness, justice, equality, and human rights. For transactional leadership to be
authentic it must be founded on principles of honesty and fairness. For
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

24

transformational leadership to be authentic, it must incorporate a central core of

moral values. Bass & Steidlmeier (1999) provide one example of authenticity in
transformational and transactional leadership within the political arena when they
state that:
In an election campaign, the authentic transformational leader points to the
societal problems he truly believes needs solving. The inauthentic transformational
leader points to the same issues but is personally uninterested in doing something
about them.The authentic transactional leader makes promises he thinks he can
keep, if elected. But he or she may be overly optimistic and unable to keep the
promises. An inauthentic transactional leader knows he is making promises he
cannot keep, if elected. Bass (1985) argues that transformational and transactional
leadership approaches represent opposite ends of a single continuum. Accordingly,
Bass & Steidlmeier (1999) note that, most leaders have a profile of the full range
of leadership that includes both transformational and transactional dimensions.
In general it is believed that transformational leadership augments and adds value
to the effectiveness of transactional leadership (see Waldman, Bass, & Yammarino,
1990). Thus, considering the ethical expectations and obligations of public leaders
to be competent, honest, fair, and lawful while at the same time serving the
collective good, abiding by the law, and demonstrating procedural respect, it
appears that several elements of both transformational and transactional leadership
may be appropriate for maintaining an ethical climate within the public-sector. In
what follows, the ethical expectations and values of public leaders and some of the
values which are associated with transformational and transactional leadership are
collectively examined. The discussion is intended to demonstrate the potential for
maintaining an ethical public-sector climate through an integrated approach to
leadership in public administration.

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25

Public Sector Ethics and Leadership : The Potential or Integration

As previously noted, the ethical role and responsibility of public officials and the
ethical foundations of public administration have been viewed in a variety of ways
by several scholars and practitioners. On the left side of Table 1-1 some of the
primary ethical obligations and expectations which have been considered
fundamental to the role of the public administrator are listed.

These include: (a) demonstrating concern for the public good and representing the
interests of society, (b) abiding by appropriate state, federal, and constitutional
laws while at the same time having respect for the procedures within the
organization, (c) engaging in basic managerial and supervisory responsibilities such
as oversight and planning, (d) being honest and truthful in the discharge of official
information, (e) acting in reason, fairness, and impartiality in every situation, (f)
demonstrating prudence and good judgment in decision-making, (g) providing
confidence to citizenry, stakeholders, and subordinates in the abilities of the official
to perform the required duties, and demonstrating intelligence and aptitude in the
assigned or elected position, and (h) also providing subordinates with the adequate
direction and motivational encouragement needed to perform their responsibilities.
Considering these ethical expectations, when viewed from the perspective of
transformational and transactional theories of leadership several of the qualities
commonly associated with these theories appear to relate to the ethical role and
responsibility of the public administrator. Thus, Table 1-1 also shows aspects of
transformational and transactional leadership which can be considered relevant to
the public-sector leader. As displayed, neither transformational nor transactional
leadership alone can fully capture the ethical responsibility associated with the role
of the public administrator; therefore, the most effective ethical leader within
public-sector organizations will incorporate both transactional and transformational
factors. For example, the transformational leader is more likely to value goals that
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

26

go beyond immediate self-interest and serves the collective good. Thus, the
expectation of an ethical administrator to demonstrate concern for the public good
can be associated with transformational leadership. As such, the public-sector
leader that relates the ethical obligations of his/her administrative role to an
integrated approach to leadership will likely focus on values which best serve the
interests of society. Also, the expectation of public officials to obey the law and to
respect the procedures instituted within the organization can be related to the
managerial aspects of transactional leadership. In management it is expected that
rules will be followed, procedures will be upheld, and policies will be enforced. As
such, the ethical public-sector leader focusing on an integrated leadership approach
is likely to enforce and maintain regulatory order through contingent reinforcement,
while also providing subordinates with appropriate training and education of all
relevant laws and policies relating to their position.
In addition, it is believed that both transformational and transactional leaders value
qualities which relate to honesty, truthfulness, and fairness. Similarly, these values
are expected of public-sector leaders. Thus, the public-sector leader approaching
the subject of ethics through an integrated approach to leadership is likely to value
honesty and integrity, and act with impartiality in the exercise of authority while
also demonstrating prudence in decision-making. Moreover, transformational
leaders are also believed to be motivating and inspiring. By its very nature,
transformational leadership is believed to involve the moral uplifting of followers
and the moral maturity of leaders. Accordingly, the ethical expectation of publicsector leaders to treat colleagues and subordinates with respect and fairness, and
to once again exercise discretion and good-judgment, can all be associated with the
transformational values of demonstrating prudence in decision-making and
providing motivational encouragement to followers.
Bearing in mind these associations between the ethical obligations of public officials
and transformational and transactional leadership values, it can be argued that the
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

27

ethical role of the public-sector leader is more fully understood when explored
within the context of an integrated approach to leadership (where ethical
considerations

are

incorporated

into

framework

of

transactional

and

transformational leadership). Although it is highly doubtful that the implementation

of any particular leadership style will automatically contribute to the enactment
and/or maintenance of ethical behaviors within the sector, an integrated approach
can be a means of gradually enhancing, maintaining, and better understanding the
ethical climates within public sector environments, where:

(a) the moral foundations of administrative ethics have been described in terms of
citizenship and the collective good, (b) the ethical role of the public administrator
has been related to honor, trust, lawfulness, and competence, and (c) decisions are
believed to be made based to be made based upon discretion, the public interest,
and societal expectations.
Granted, every quality associated with transactional and transformational leadership
may not easily serve the needs of the ethical public-sector leader. For example,
risk-taking and commitment are elements of transformational leadership; however,
Dobell (1989) argues that there are systemic reasons as to why public-sector
leaders tend to avoid risk and sustain the status quo, and also that the attempts by
public officials to satisfy various groups may be perceived as a lack of commitment
and inconsistency. Nonetheless, other qualities such as honesty, optimism, fairness,
inner direction, and the motivation of followers can add to the ethical climate of
public-sector organizations. Thus, a public-sector leader who focuses on specific
aspects of both transformational and transactional leadership can potentially find
the approaches beneficial in maintaining and better understanding his/her own
ethical leadership values, and eventually in building an ethical climate within publicsector environments. However, it should be noted that the ethical expectations of
public-sector leaders will quite possibly relate to a variety of factors associated with
both transformational and transactional leadership. As such, any associations
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

28

between ethical values within the public sector and transformational and
transactional leadership must take into account the potential for overlap between
the relationships. For example, the expectation of public officials to exercise
discretion can in some ways be associated with the transformational values of
providing motivational encouragement, and also being inspirational and confident.
In theory there will likely always be the possibility that the ethical expectations and
obligations of public officials will relate in some form to both transformational and
transactional leadership.
Accordingly the categorization of the ethical values into transformational and
transactional columns does not represent distinct or conclusive placements, but is
meant to merely provide a broad conceptualization of the relationships that
potentially exist between ethical values, expectations, and obligations of public
officials, and factors associated with transformational and transactional leadership.
Nonetheless these associations are meaningful in that they provide insight as to
how ethical considerations can be incorporated into a framework of integrated
public-sector leadership. As Pawar & Eastman (1997) suggest, the challenges of
public leaders to be more adaptive may create an opportunity and a need for
charismatic leadership, and as Van Wart (2003) notes concerning leadership within
the sector, there is a striking need for a comprehensive leadership model that
integrates transactional and transformational elements.

Thus, the current

expectations of public leaders to be more ethically and morally responsible may

contribute to an environment where an integrated public-sector leadership
approach is welcomed.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

29

Table 1 : Specific Ethical Expectation and obligations of Public Sector Leaders

Relating to Aspects of Transformational and Transactional theories of
Leadership

Ethical Expectations and Obligations of

public leaders
Concern for the public good

Leadership Valued associated with

ethical public sector expectations and
obligations
Transformational
Transactional
Leadership
Leadership
x

Law abiding

Demonstrating procedural respect

Basic managerial considerations

Providing honesty and truthfulness (in

the discharge of official information)

Acting in
authority

exercising

Demonstrating prudence in decisionmaking

Providing inspiration and confidence to

citizens, stakeholders, and subordinates
in
ability
to
handle
official
responsibilities(positional aptitude)

Providing motivational encouragement

and direction to subordinates

fairness

when

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

30

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***

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6. Meaning of Professionalism and Work Ethic

Osmond Vitez, Demand Media

Professionalism and work ethic are two important features in the small-business
environment. Business owners often use these elements to ensure that their
company operates in the highest professional and ethical manner possible. While
businesses may be started under a variety of circumstances, they often contain
similar business elements. The style and organizational structure may also depend
on the entrepreneurs personal use of professionalism and his work ethic when
handling business situations.

Definition
Professionalism is often defined as the strict adherence to courtesy, honesty and
responsibility when dealing with individuals or other companies in the business
environment. This trait often includes a high level of excellence going above and
beyond basic requirements. Work ethic is usually concerned with the personal
values demonstrated by business owners or entrepreneurs and instilled in the
companys employees. The good work ethic may include completing tasks in a
timely manner with the highest quality possible and taking pride in completed tasks
Features
Professionalism and the work ethic demonstrated by individuals in the business
environment may be built around an internal moral system or code of ethics.
Morality and ethics usually represent the personal beliefs individuals display when
working in business. Common traits often include transparency, honesty and
integrity. These personal traits often display themselves publicly when individuals
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

34

respond to various business situations. A professional work ethic may be seen as

somebody walking the walk regarding their personal morality and ethics.

Function
Small businesses often use professionalism to help them establish a good
reputation in the business environment. Because many small businesses have
limited capital resources during the early years of operations, an important
advertising strategy is word-of-mouth. Small businesses that treat each customer in
a professional manner and display a strong work ethic when completing business
functions or responsibilities can help develop positive goodwill with consumers.
Effects
Business owners and entrepreneurs may decide to create a written set of guidelines
outlining their companys professionalism and work ethic expectations. These
written guidelines can help the business owner translate his company's mission or
vision to employees. These guidelines may also be included in the company's
employee manual so business owners can properly train and educate individuals
about the importance of the companys professionalism and work ethic.
Consideration
Transforming an individual's understanding of professionalism and work ethic may
be a difficult process in small business. Many individuals may not have the same
views on professionalism and work ethic as the business owner. Business owners
may hire these individuals if they have technical experience or expertise in the
business, regardless of the employees personal moral or ethical beliefs. But
employees often adopt the businesss professionalism and work ethic guidelines
when working for a company, especially if they are well compensated.

***
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35

7. How to Increase Employee Work Ethic

Kate McFarlin, Demand Media

A work ethic is typically something ingrained within a person. There are, simply put,
lazy people who are impossible to motivate. However, other factors, both
economical and psychological, can affect an employee's work ethic. Most people
can be encouraged to greater performance, once the right motivating factors are
found. This can be a process of trial and error because each individual may have
different motivators. However, there are some basic guidelines you can follow to
increase employee work ethic
Step 1
Expect your managers to set a good example. Employees tend to mimic the
behavior of authority figures. If your managers are not doing their jobs or are
spending most of the day coming up with inventive ways to avoid working, chances
are your employees will follow suit. Make sure your managers know exactly what is
expected of them, and follow up with them regularly to make sure they are serving
as role models for the rest of your employees.

Step 2
Create a public recognition system. Rewarding an employee's good work ethics can
be a great motivator for other employees who may not be as productive. Employee
of the month competitions and special rewards for those who do their job well may
encourage those with a poor work ethic to try harder. Human beings thrive on
recognition and feeling appreciated, and these are very powerful motivating factors.

Work Ethics for Development Professionals

36

Step 3
Set clear goals and milestones. In some cases, employees may feel overwhelmed
with a project if they are not entirely sure how to complete it or if it looks
insurmountable. Break apart projects into tasks that have clear goals. Set
milestones with clear target dates so employees know exactly what you expect of
them and how long they have to complete the task.
Step 4
Monitor potential troublemakers. Almost every office has at least one person who is
there for the paycheck and not much else. These people can cause dissension
among the ranks and bring down not only the morale of the rest of the staff, but
also the productivity levels for the company. Weed through new applicants to make
sure they will have job dedication. Monitor current troublemakers, set strict
guidelines they must follow or encourage them to seek employment elsewhere.

Step 5
Create a monetary award system. Some employees will be motivated only by the
promise of receiving a bonus or a raise if they complete certain tasks and improve
their performance. While not all companies may have the resources to give large
monetary awards to their employees, even simple gift card challenges and free
products can encourage lackadaisical employees.

***

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8. Negative Work Ethic Definition

Robert Vaux, Demand Media
Companies like to promote positive work ethics because it often results in happier
and more productive employees. Just as it is important to understand a positive
work ethic, however, it is equally important to recognize the signs of a negative
work ethic. Negative work ethics may be the behaviour of a single individual or
something more systematic; regardless of the specifics, identifying the signs is the
first step toward correcting it.
Lack of Productivity
The most obvious sign of a negative work ethic is a lack of productivity. CNN cites
procrastination at the top of its list of bad work habits; an employee who rushes
through assignments or waits until the last minute to complete them often turns in
lower quality work, as well as running the risk of missing a deadline. Furthermore,
lack of productivity costs the company time and money: essentially paying the
employee for doing nothing. While breaks in the workday and brief relaxers are
necessary for a productive employee, a lax employee can't tell the difference
between taking a break and wasting time.
Attendance
A positive work ethic means showing up on time every time, and using sick days for
their designated purpose rather than a vacation by proxy. A negative work ethic, on
the other hand, looks to get the most out of the system, according to CNN: often
showing up tardy and taking full advantage of sick days and other dates.
Furthermore, the way an employee reacts to lax attendance may say a lot about his
work ethic. A good worker, for instance, may arrive late every once in a while, but
also stays late to make up the time. A bad worker will assume that showing up late
is normal, and do so beyond the range of what the company considers acceptable.
Work Ethics for Development Professionals

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Work Ethics for Development Professionals

39