Leadership and cooperation : ethical considerations and moral frameworking

Leadership is a function in social systems and aims to reduce (social) complexity and contingency. Hierarchy as the predominant leadership model is seen gradually superseded by more egalitarian approaches, due to the fact that in nowadays organizations the full potential of humans is needed, while cascading instructions top-down is not anymore sufficiently functional in many cases. The associated power shift leads to new tasks for leadership, as well as for those taking over leadership roles, which are reflected by facilitating and maintaining cooperation, where cooperation is a deliberate act of “free” individuals. We will argue for two forms of cooperation a weak form (compliance) and a strong form (considering the interests of all). The theory of cooperation is being discussed from an ethical point of view, based on the moral philosophy by Morton Deutsch and James Tufts. Major implications on the principles and practices of leadership will be shown. Ultimately suggestions for the implementation of a corresponding leadership ethics are given. The findings are important for building sustainable work units on an ethical foundation