Bill Gates as an ethical leader: an evaluation

Ethics

Bill Gates founded Microsoft, but his most significant ethical contributions have come from his charitable work. Mr. Gates" success as a philanthropist comes after Microsoft became a multibillion-dollar company. The success of his company made Mr. Gates the richest person in the world. His work in the charitable field makes him one of the ethical leaders of our time.

There are a number of ways that leadership can be evaluated. On one hand, there is the corporate leadership that Mr. Gates had demonstrated with respect to Microsoft. His company became an undisputed industry leader in a field where the company is a major world player. The result of this is that Mr. Gates has become a multi-billionaire and now has a duty beyond that duty that is extended to his charitable stakeholders.

A leader should be dedicated towards the operations of the business and should pay attention to detail in the final product. As Microsoft was growing to become the technology giant it is today, bill was responsible for reviewing every line of code shipped by the company. This ensured that every code written by the company met the product standards of the company. During this time his work was to approve the codes written or to re-write the codes in a manner that how saw fit.

This form of leadership highlights the need of the company to develop a variety of revenue streams that will enhance the success of Mr. Gates and his operation. A leader should be dedicated towards the operations of the business and should pay attention to detail in the final product. As Microsoft was growing to become the technology giant it is today, bill was responsible for reviewing every line of code shipped by the company. This ensured that every code written by the company met the product standards of the company. During this time his work was to approve the codes written or to re-write the codes in a manner that how saw fit. The leadership style of Mr. Gates has therefore been autocratic, but with a mission to be a technological leader in the company's chosen field.

Beyond Microsoft

While still retaining his leadership position at Microsoft, Bill Gates began to transition away from his role as CEO and towards a role of a Carnegie-style ethical leader. The software magnate began to write his own history. Mr. Gates focused on building a code of ethics that many could be proud of. Gates was a clever individual as a young person performing exceptionally in his SAT and enrolling in one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning. He was an exceptional code writer who attracted many clients to the company and qualified staff. He was a good role model to the workers at Microsoft and inspired the production of quality products thus improving the organizations competitiveness in the market.

Where Gates truly exceled was in moving beyond Microsoft to become an ethical leader for the entire world. Gates has called for what is termed as "kinder capitalism," where individuals who are able to make significant fortunes give back to the communities from which they came. Gates argues "we have to find a way to make the aspects of capitalism that serve wealthier people serve poorer people as well" (Guth, 2008).

His charitable works have brought him fame, but Gates also excels in convincing others to follow his path. This is the sign of a true ethical leader. Warren Buffett has joined Gates in donating most of his wealth to charity. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now one of the largest charities in the world. Gates notes that "The rate of improvement for the third that is better off is pretty rapid," he said. "The part that's unsatisfactory is for the bottom third -- two billion of six billion," in respect to the population of the world that lives in poverty.

Gates has responded to his own wealthy with criticism of the system that allows him to enjoy his wealth while so many others suffer. He issued a note that explained why those who benefit from market forces have a duty to those who do not benefit from those forces. His charitable work illustrates his support for the idea that those who are the wealthiest in society should give back to those who are less fortunate.

Ethical Analysis

The approach that Gates has taken is based on the utilitarian code of ethics as espoused by John Stuart Mill. This code of ethics stresses that one's ethical behavior should be based on what delivers the greatest good for the greatest number (Driver, 2009). To this end, Gates has dedicated billions of his own money to a variety of causes, including the improvement of living conditions in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Gates has also convinced fellow leaders that his approach to charitable giving is the best approach

Collins (2005) describes Level 5 hierarchy leadership as "an executive in whom genuine personal humility blends with intense professional will." Gates exhibits this form of leadership far more in his personal life than in his professional endeavors. He donates a substantial portion not just of his income but of his net wealth to charitable causes but also pushes fellow leaders to do the same. Gates' role as a leader of leaders is something that elevates his status in terms of leadership in the world.

Situation Test

This situation is difficult to deal with. The utilitarian argument holds that the reputation for delivering positive economic results is something that is worth acquiring. The billionaire therefore should be allowed to acquire the company and run it as he sees fit. However, ethical leadership extends to all aspects of leadership. For example, it is not reasonable that a leader should build the company's success but remain homophobic or have other ethical problems.

In such a situation there needs to be a categorical imperative. Not doing harm to others is a good ethical starting point for this leadership. As a Level 5 leader, Gates exhibits the qualities of a leader who is ready to steward other leaders in this world. Gates has taken the role of somebody who sets by example, and encourages other leader to follow his example, the result being a company that adheres to a high standard of business ethics and that has become one of the major corporate donors in the world.

I believe that in this situation, Gates would exhibit the strongest possible ethical leadership. He has a good track record of working with talented people to bring them into the organization, and in making the right decisions. Gates appears to adhere to a certain Kantian ethic that would dictate the manager in question would most likely not be hired. The categorical imperative to which Gates adheres would prohibit him from hiring such an individual.