Formal Letter on Aristotle's Ethics

(Sender Address)

(Date)

(Recipient's Address)

Dear son,

RE: APPLICATION OF ARISTOTLE'S ETHICS IN LEADERSHIP.

My inspiration to write this letter to you is drawn on my consciousness of Aristotle's ethical codes, which I find invaluable when applied in every domain, especially leadership, which is a task nature graced you with. I understand that you may face several dilemmas when going about your leadership duties, and you might be unable to identify the most feasible actions to enforce. However, I believe that a thorough comprehension of Aristotle's ethical codes could come a long way in enabling you to devise the best leadership skills in your responsibilities.

Aristotle was a significant Greek Philosopher with succinct ethical assertions that highlighted eleven essential moral virtues. Such include courage, liberality, temperance, magnificence, gentleness, truthfulness, wittiness, magnanimity, friendliness, shame, and justice. Notably, Aristotle acknowledged these ethical virtues as the guaranteed guidelines for a happy life and the ultimate deal-breaker when faced with ethical dilemmas (Hendricks, 2018). Besides being a Philosopher with resourceful assertions, Aristotle contributed immensely to Literature by compiling and drafting his views in the Nicomachean Ethics, where he ascertained that "individuals are social beings who strive to live well." In light of this, he believed that the key to such happy living would only be enhanced through the meticulous adherence to his proposed ethical virtues, enabling people to reach eudaimonia, the state of flourishing (Hendricks, 2018).

Aristotle affirmed that courage was the midpoint between cowardice and recklessness, and not necessarily the absence of fear, as many people believe (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). Ideally, a courageous person is well-aware of imminent danger but remains open to identifying the most favorable decisions to undertake and implementations to enforce (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). The Nicomachean Ethics encourages people to stay courageous even in the face of grave danger because courage enables people to achieve more than they otherwise could have if they set limitations. Similarly, as a leader, I am aware that some decisions may seem skeptical and likely to cause harm. However, you should also consider the possibility that they may become beneficial if implemented well, and this should form the basis of encouraging you to invest in such decisions. It is worth stressing that you remain the mentor for all your employees and even people you may not know as a leader. Therefore, courage should remain your guiding principle.

The Nicomachean Ethics Book defines liberality as the art of giving more than one can afford without setting charity limits (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). Liberality enables an individual to become more open to sharing than expected to allow other less privileged individuals to benefit fully and not partially (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). In leadership, this ethical virtue is imperative as it enables leaders to remain overly competent in their duties without slacking, which would otherwise compromise significant business processes. As a leader, you should not limit your capacity to render your assistance and contribution in your businesses; instead, you should remain liberal when giving because this may ultimately bring you happiness when everything proceeds as planned. Suffice it to say, you would derive your joy from seeing others content.

The Nicomachean Ethical Codes define magnificence as the art of living extravagantly. The virtue lies between vulgarity and stinginess (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). However, Aristotle was wise enough to warn people against being flashy because this may induce pride and hinder one from making more progress when they spend many resources maintaining a particular image (Bartlett & Collins, 2011). Inarguably, remaining meek and savings-oriented is salient in ensuring that resources are invested wisely into profitable and productive projects. However, it is also...

…run away from trouble is a form of cowardice" to emphasize that fear is a temporary escape from our problems which will remain present until they are dealt with (Galbraith, 2015). Problems will inevitably grow if they stay untreated, which is why leaders should normalize risking confrontations so they can remain aware of situations as they are (Galbraith, 2015). Subsequently, they would be enabled to apply the best problem-solving skills and diffuse conditions before they implode.

Conclusion

I derived substantial inspiration from Aristotle's ethics and found it necessary to share some of his assertions with you, an aspiring leader. Notably, leadership in the modern era requires you to remain vigilant on all the essential leadership qualities that would warrant your success as an effective leader. Unlike previously, leaders today have thoroughly braced themselves with invaluable leadership qualities, which explains the continued existence of booming businesses today. I admire your diligence and believe that you would make an outstanding leader guided by logic and soundness of mind to enable you to maneuver through both the graces and burdens of leadership with adequate guidance. Numerous significant figures have stressed excellent leadership, making it palpable that it is a crucial and influential domain that should be handled cautiously.

Aristotle remains the most significant Philosopher with sound guiding principles for leaders and aspiring leaders because he applies logic, science, politics, and ethics in his assertions. From the eleven ethical principles identified as courage, wittiness, gentleness, truthfulness, magnanimity, magnificence, shame, justice, friendliness, liberality, and temperance, you can derive everything you need become an effective leader. I outlined the ethical virtues to you and explained each of them in detail to comprehend the magnitude of their impact. On top of that, I brought you to speed with Aristotle's stance on leadership and presented various quotes helpful in encouraging you in…