Abs 415 - Leadership & Ethics in a Changing World - Power Corrupts

Power Corrupts

Monica De La Garza

ABS: 415 Leadership & Ethics in a Changing World

Instructor: Thenera Bailey

February 6, 2013

Power Corrupts

Through our history there have been lots of debates on how power and corruption go hand in hand. The reason for this is because of different kinds of destruction that has been happening all around us. In this paper, I will discuss if it is ethical for leaders to increase their power. I will also discuss two different leaders in history that tie into the concept of power and control.

When someone gains power over others and they make others do their demands even if these people don't think it's the right thing to do. It is unavoidable for moral weakness to show up in the people who are applying the power to their leadership. At times it can take some time for these leaders to show their weakness. Being a leader within a company or organization it is important to have good ethical behavior so you can have relationships that last a long time and you're able to reach the companies goals. There are two different types of leaders that have different approaches to having power.

Personalized leaders are, "typically selfish, impulsive, and exercise power for their own self-centered needs and interest rather than for the good of the organization (Draft, R.L., 2008, pg. 383)." "Socialized leaders exercise power in the service of higher goals that will benefit others and the organization as a whole (Draft, R.L., 2008, pg. 383)." Leaders who are more caring about themselves and how their company affects them are the more personal leaders. Social leaders are the ones who care and value what other people are doing for their company to succeed.

The statement that Lord Acton, a British Historian of the late 19th Century, "said that power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely, "suggesting that a person's sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases (Draft, R.L., 2008, pg. 385)." I believe this means that the leaders who are corrupted by their leadership towards others don't start off being mean. But often times they can start by being honest and then turn out to want to have strict rules for their people. Two examples of leaders who had similar techniques to have control but once they had it they turned into different men. Gandhi and Hitler have been known as great leaders with different ways to have power of their countries. Gandhi was born and raised in India but went to school England. He went to India to study law and become a lawyer. "He became a leader of India's independence