Business Ethics
Business in the United States has a host of problems that need to be resolved. Most employees are not happy with the positions that they currently hold. Most employers are not satisfied with the level of potential leadership demonstrated by current employees. Dr. Eich, the author of the article, summarizes the eight qualities that effective leaders, either formal or informal, possess. Few middle managers want to remain with their current position for more than two years from the date they were surveyed due to job dissatisfaction of some type.
The first quality is not to micromanage the people below themselves. Second, real leaders aspire to be a part of something bigger than oneself. Third, effective communication is important. It is essential to give clear direction and to listen to others. Fourth, Composition is essential in that it is representative of the corporation’s culture. Fifth, value and support should be offered to all both in public and private when it is deserved. Sixth, step aside when it is warranted. Seventh, good leaders are approachable by others. Eighth, character and integrity and both recognized and can be identified and distinguished.
When one studies successful business leaders, certain traits are espoused. Eich mentions the Chelsea Milling Company, which is the producer of the grocery item Jiffy Mix, as a leader for several reasons. There are conscious efforts in sustainability in the manner in which the product is packaged. More importantly, the sustainability is carried through to the Detroit area, which has been abandoned by many other corporations. The Millings Company remains strong in the area, without plans to abandon its site and look for cheaper labor. It is remaining loyal to the workers that have been loyal to them.
Similarly, Harold Edwards is the President and CEO of the Limoneira Company. Another company dedicated to sustainability of both products and work force. The President and his company are known for their trust, fairness, and honesty. His company is 119 years old based on these practices. Edwards noted that even in difficult economic times, he and the board have remained focused on what can be done despite economic conditions to ensure that the company’s standards continue to be met.
Another example shared by Eich is that of Howard and Mary Wennes. Howard is an educated minister, having earned his Doctor of Ministry degree. Mary has developed her own ministry. Between the two of them they have served in numerous leadership capacities. Together they have developed their own values-based leadership system and style, known as Wennes-style to those they serve. This system of leadership involves selflessness, helping give the disadvantaged a voice with which to speak, and a commitment of servitude to those in need .
The values demonstrated by all of the leaders that Eich mentions as well as his own eight leadership tenets, are positive, value-oriented goals that all leaders can aspire to achieve. The business goals that are identified in this article are aspirational on both the personal and business levels. There is nothing mentioned by Dr. Eich that I would mind incorporating in my own life. I do believe that his eight identified qualities are admirable, possible, and would promote an effective leader. I can see myself aspiring to use the eight strategies that he suggests in both my professional and personal life, although I do not think that my less-than methodical style would have me create a check-list to ensure that these qualities are evident in every aspect of my life.
The examples he used in his article of the two successful businesses and the married couple are also positive, achievable, and something that an aspiring individual can strive for both personally and professionally. Honesty, integrity, willingness to remain loyal to employees are valuable assets with which too many companies are willing to disregard in the sake of making a dollar in today’s economic climate. The admiration and respect the Limoneira Company and the Chelsea Milling Company have probably gained from their workforce through their loyalty and commitment will probably be repaid in multitude by the employees whose lives are being blessed because of their dedication and hard work.
“Secrets of Your Leadership Success – The 11 Indispensable E’s of a Leader”
Dr. Rao focuses on success in his article, “Secrets of Your Leadership Success – The 11 Indispensable E’s of a Leader.” He emphasizes that without an attempt to be successful, success will not occur. Also a point to be made is that it is a frequent occurrence that people who are successful finally achieve success after failing many times but finding the strength to overcome their failures. It takes courage to overcome failure knowing another attempt may result in even more failure. But, success is rarely achieved with cost.
There are many quotes by many famous people in his article. It is fitting because each of the people that Dr. Rao quotes has seen success, but none have done so without overcoming failure and being willing to try again. Dr. Rao does list seven “tips” to help the average person rise above mediocrity and find success. First, in order to find success, one must believe in oneself. Second, there is equality among people. If other can achieve success, one must believe that one can achieve it also. Third, there are steps to help unlock one’s hidden potential, including being focused and being able to sustain efforts. Fourth, Hidden potential is more likely to be tapped through hard work and using talents in a smart and wise fashion. Fifth, there is no reason for one to be compared to others. It only results in self-depreciation. Sixth, New talents mixed with old can help to find hidden capabilities. Seventh, and last, do not hoard knowledge. Share it with others to help them grow.
Dr. Rao refers to the research of Michael Gelb. Gelb reveals that learning begins in utero and continues until death. There is no time at which one’s brain is full; the capacity of one’s brain has no pre-determined limits. Keeping an active mind helps to keep a person active.
Dr. Rao then approaches the eleven E’s by which he named his article. Each of these E’s are then defined in a paragraph as to how they help create leadership success. The first “E” is example. Set an example for others through one’s own actions. Second, energy is not purely physical energy, but also incorporates the mental, emotional, and spiritual energy which one needs to inspire others. Third is enthusiasm in which the excitement is contagious because of one being inspired and motivated.
The fourth “E” shared by Dr. Rao is endurance which is needed when one encounters setbacks on the road to success. It encompasses the need to drive on and keep going through the difficult times until success is achieved. The fifth “E” is emotional intelligence which is “defined as the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others.” This involves actively listening to others and understanding the art of communication. Dr. Rao states that “80% of your leadership success” is based upon this quality.
Eloquence encompasses the sixth “E.” A true leader can speak in a manner that all can understand. The seventh “E” is empowerment. This involves having the ability to rely on others and enabling the opportunity to act independently, make their own errors, and learn from them. This skill fosters a sense of trust in others. The eighth “E” is effectiveness and having the ability to work smart. It is here where learning the skills to minimize mistakes is acquired.
The “E” for the ninth skill is execution. It is in this step that visions become actions and successful outcomes. Excellence is the tenth named “E.” If respect from others is to be achieved, one needs to earn the respect needed to be the best at what one does. Last, of at least as much importance as the other ten steps, is the importance of ethics. Without this essential element, the other ten alone will not make a successful leader .
Dr. Rao gives a great amount of positive advice. To follow all of the suggested steps would be difficult for any person to accomplish. It is not that the steps are difficult, unattainable, or beyond reach, it is that there are eleven, which is a great number of steps to employ for almost anything one does. Each step makes good sense of what it is to achieve success. Dr. Rao also provides examples of people who have successfully completed each of the eleven “E’s” that he writes of in his article. But, he fails to give an example of one person who has successfully exemplified each of the eleven steps that he mentions. Is there someone that has done so? If so, why is that person not mentioned?
Independently, I can envision each of these steps being incorporated into both my professional and personal lives. It is difficult, as I analyze each step, to think of an action where I can honestly say that each of the eleven named steps has been successfully attempted and achieved towards the same goal.
I the seven steps mentioned by Dr. Rao to unlock one’s hidden potential, I again can see myself having achieved all of the mentioned steps. It is also easier to grasp the idea of being able to take each of these seven tips and use them towards a successful venture, be it personal or a business related matter.
Works Cited
Eich, Ritch K. "Leadership Shortcomings: A Values Deficit." The Journal of Values-Based Leadership Summer/Fall 2012: 36-41. Web. 6 February 2012.
Rao, M. S. "Secrets of Your Leadership Success - The 11 Indispensable E's of a Leader." The Journal of Values-Based Leadership. Summer/Fall 2012: 66-73. Web. 6 February 2013.
