Ethics in Public Leadership: Wart's Five Models Explained

Introduction

Ethical leadership is an essential component of effective leadership in any organization, whether public or private. It is essential for leaders to model ethical behavior, establish ethical standards, and hold themselves and others accountable. Wart's (2011) five ethics models provide a framework for understanding different approaches to ethical leadership. Additionally, the concept of spiritual-servant leadership emphasizes the importance of serving others with compassion, care, and purpose. This essay examines these models of ethical leadership and discusses the attributes of each. It also explores the concept of spiritual-servant leadership in public service, evaluating the ethical obligations of Christian leaders and applying biblical principles to the practice of ethical leadership.

Wart's Five Ethics Models of Leadership

Wart's (2011) five ethical models present different approaches to ethical leadership, highlighting the importance of personal integrity, ethical management, authenticity, spiritual guidance, and transformative leadership. Each model provides a unique perspective on what it means to be an ethical leader, emphasizing different aspects of leadership that contribute to ethical behavior and decision-making.

The basic integrity model of the virtuous leader places a high value on personal integrity and character as the foundation of ethical leadership. This model highlights the importance of honesty, fairness, and responsibility in all aspects of leadership. Leaders are taught to recognize that ethical behavior is not only the right thing to do, but also the most effective way to inspire trust and respect from followers and other stakeholders (Lawton & Páez, 2015).

As virtuous examples, leaders are expected to set the tone for ethical behavior by modeling the behavior they expect from others. Leaders who demonstrate honesty, fairness, and responsibility in their own behavior are more likely to inspire these qualities in others (Hackett & Wang, 2012). For example, a leader who demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability in decision-making is more likely to inspire these qualities in their team members and colleagues.

The basic integrity model of the virtuous leader also stresses the importance of ethical decision-making. Leaders should recognize that ethical decision-making requires careful consideration of the impact of their decisions on others and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular (Hackett & Wang, 2012).

Ultimately, this model highlights the importance of personal integrity, honesty, fairness, and responsibility in ethical leadership. Leaders who embrace it are committed to modeling ethical behavior through personal example, promoting ethical decision-making, and inspiring trust and respect from their followers and other stakeholders.

The ethical leader as moral manager emphasizes the importance of ethical management practices and systems in promoting ethical behavior in organizations (Wart, 2011). This model is based on the idea that ethical behavior is not just a matter of personal integrity, but also requires the development and implementation of effective systems and processes to ensure that ethical standards are upheld. It establishes the value of setting clear ethical standards and expectations for behavior in the workplace. Leaders using this model recognize that employees need to know what is expected of them in terms of ethical conduct, and that this requires clear and consistent communication of ethical standards and policies (Demirtas & Akdogan, 2015).

In addition to setting clear ethical standards, the ethical leader as moral manager also emphasizes the importance of implementing systems for monitoring and enforcing ethical behavior. This includes mechanisms for reporting ethical violations, as well as processes for investigating and addressing ethical concerns. Leaders who embrace this model recognize that the mere existence of ethical standards is not enough; they must be actively monitored and enforced to ensure they are being upheld.

Finally, this model emphasizes the importance of training employees in ethical decision-making. This includes providing employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify ethical issues and make sound ethical decisions. Leaders who embrace this model recognize that ethical behavior is not innate, but must be developed and nurtured through education and training (Armstrong et al., 2003).

In sum, this model holds that leaders must be committed to setting clear ethical standards, implementing systems for monitoring and enforcing ethical behavior, and providing employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound ethical decisions.

The ethical leader as authentic model emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and one's values in ethical leadership. This model recognizes that effective leadership is not just a matter of following a set of prescribed behaviors or practices, but also requires leaders to be authentic and genuine (Wart, 2011).

This model highlights the importance of being transparent, honest, and genuine in one's communication and behavior. Leaders are expected to be open and transparent in their communication with others, honest in their behavior, and unafraid to show vulnerability — admitting when they have made a mistake or when they do not have all the answers. In addition, this model emphasizes building trust and credibility through authentic leadership. Leaders applying this model understand that trust is essential for effective leadership and that it is built through consistent and authentic behavior. By being true to themselves and their values, leaders can build trust and credibility with their followers and other stakeholders.

The ethical leader as authentic model also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and reflection in ethical leadership. Leaders who embrace this model take time to reflect on their own values, beliefs, and motivations, and they are aware of how these factors influence their leadership behavior. This self-awareness allows leaders to be more authentic in their leadership and enables them to make more ethical decisions (Yue et al., 2019).

In short, this model asserts that leaders should be transparent, honest, and genuine in their communication and behavior, build trust and credibility through authentic leadership, and prioritize self-awareness and reflection as essential components of ethical leadership.

The ethical leader as spiritual mentor model emphasizes the importance of spiritual guidance and values in ethical leadership. This model recognizes that spirituality can play an important role in guiding ethical decision-making and behavior, and it emphasizes the importance of connecting with one's own spirituality and values (Wart, 2011). Leaders who apply this model recognize that their own spiritual beliefs and values can serve as a powerful guide for ethical decision-making and leadership. They seek to understand their own spirituality and values and use this understanding to guide their leadership behavior. The model also highlights the importance of providing spiritual guidance and support to followers, clients, and constituents, emphasizing that spirituality can be an important source of support and comfort for others (Fry, 2003).

These leaders tend to be committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect for all spiritual beliefs and values. They recognize that spirituality can take many different forms and seek to create a space in which individuals feel comfortable expressing and exploring their own spiritual beliefs (Fry, 2003).

Thus, the ethical leader as spiritual mentor model emphasizes that leaders are guided by their own spirituality and values, seek to provide spiritual guidance and support to others, and are committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.

The ethical leader as a transforming agent of change for the common good model emphasizes the importance of transformative leadership in promoting ethical behavior and positive change in organizations and society (Wart, 2011). This model holds that ethical leadership involves a commitment to promoting positive change and making a difference in the world (Komives et al., 2009). It urges leaders to focus on creating a vision of the common good and inspiring and empowering others to work toward that vision. Leaders are called to build a shared sense of purpose and commitment among their followers and to create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creativity that supports ethical decision-making and behavior (Komives et al., 2009).

In addition, this model underscores the importance of fostering a sense of social responsibility and concern for the welfare of others. Leaders who embrace this model recognize that ethical behavior and decision-making should not be limited to the narrow interests of the organization or its stakeholders, but should also account for the broader needs and interests of society as a whole. They are committed to creating a culture of ethical behavior and decision-making that supports this vision of the common good.

Ultimately, this model emphasizes that leaders should focus on creating a shared vision of the common good, inspiring and empowering others to work toward that vision, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creativity that supports ethical decision-making and behavior.

Each of these models presents a different approach to ethical leadership, highlighting different attributes and values that leaders should embody. The models range from personal integrity and character to transformative leadership and social responsibility, and they collectively recognize that ethical leadership involves more than just personal values — it also requires a commitment to promoting positive change and making a difference in the world. In summary, these models emphasize personal integrity, ethical management practices, authenticity, spiritual guidance, transformative leadership, and social responsibility as drivers of ethical behavior and decision-making in organizations and society.

Spiritual-Servant Leadership in Public Service

The concept of spiritual-servant leadership emphasizes the importance of serving others with a sense of purpose and meaning. This type of leadership is grounded in the idea that leaders should not only serve their own interests but also the interests of those they lead. Spiritual-servant leadership is based on the principles of humility, compassion, and care for others, and it emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical behavior. Leaders who adopt this approach are motivated by a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and they are committed to using their leadership position to serve others.

While ethical codes are important for all leaders, Christian leaders carry a higher biblical moral obligation to serve others and follow the teachings of Christ. The Christian faith emphasizes the importance of humility, servant leadership, and caring for others. Christian leaders are called to be servant leaders, just as Christ came to serve and not to be served. This means that Christian leaders are called to put the needs of others first, to be compassionate and caring, and to lead by example. Ethical codes are important, but they are not sufficient on their own. Christian leaders must also be guided by their faith and their commitment to serving others.

In Matthew 20:26–28, Jesus tells his disciples: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This passage highlights the importance of servant leadership and the idea that true greatness comes from serving others. Christian leaders who follow this teaching are called to lead by example, to put the needs of others first, and to serve others with humility and compassion.

Conclusion

Ethical leadership is a critical component of effective leadership in any organization, especially in public service. Wart's five ethics models provide a framework for understanding different approaches to ethical leadership. The concept of spiritual-servant leadership highlights the importance of serving others with compassion, care, and purpose. Ethical codes are important for Christian leaders, but they must also strive to follow the teachings of Christ and serve others with humility and grace. The biblical passage from Matthew emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and reminds us that true greatness comes from serving others. Indeed, Christian leaders carry a higher biblical moral obligation to serve others and follow the teachings of Christ, emphasizing humility, servant leadership, and caring for others.

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