DARK AND LIGHT LEADERS

Comparing and Contrasting Dark and Light Leaders

Introduction

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that persons in leadership positions often display diverse and unique leadership characteristics and approaches. This text will focus on two historical leaders with an intention of assessing their leadership styles. The leaders selected in this case are and Lee Kuan Yeu and Kenneth Lay. For reasons outlined elsewhere in this text, Kenneth Lay could be described as an unethical leader, whereas Lee Kuan Yeu was essentially an ethical leader.

Discussion

Ethical Leader: Lee Kuan Yeu

a) Biography

Born in 1923, Lee Kuan Yeu (LKY) was a politician and is best known for having served as Singapores prime minister for the period between 1959 and 1990. Thus, in this context, Singapore could be deemed as the organization lead by this particular ethical leader. It is important to note that LKY is credited with the turnaround of this Southeast Asian country during his 31-year reign (Oei, 2015). Prior to serving as prime minister, LKY served in various capacities within and outside government. He had earlier on, in 1949, earned a law degree in England. As Oei (2015) points out, LKY won the countrys elections in 1959 after riding on a reform agenda. Soon after being elected, he instituted massive reforms that saw Singapore become a high-income economy and one of the most stable countries not only in South East Asia, but also across the world (Oei, 2015). LKY died in the year 2015.

b) Leadership Style

LKYs leadership style has been described as transformational leadership. In basic terms, transformational leadership is a leadership style that can inspire positive changes in those who follow (Burns, 2010). As the author in this case further indicates, transformational leaders have an inherent capability to not only inspire, but also motivate followers. It is this inherent capability that enables them to bring about positive change in organizational settings (Burns, 2010). LKY demonstrated this particular leadership style because he was able to unite an entire country behind a reform agenda. This is more so the case in relation to educational services expansion, women emancipation, initiation of better housing and most importantly, war against graft. In the words of Josey (2013), while improving health and social welfare services, Lee continually emphasized the necessity of cooperation, discipline, and austerity on the part of the average Singaporean (187). This is a clear demonstration of his resolve to inspire and motivate followers. He has also been described as energetic and emotionally intelligent which are some of the key characteristics of transformational leaders (Josey, 2013).

c) Aspects of Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership, as DuBrin (2012) points out, has got to do with the demonstration of acceptable behavior and pursuit of the common good. LKY was ethical in the sense that he was committed to the promotion of the wellbeing of his people and demonstrated appropriate conduct via his deep reverence for ethics. This is more so the case in relation to the formulation and implementation of policies that uplifted their wellbeing (i.e. slum upgrading projects) and deployment of measures to rein in corrupt behavior (Josey, 2013). It is important to note that as Josey (2013) further observes, LKY was convinced that countries could gain an unassailable competitive advantage via the embrace of ethical leadership. Indeed, according to Josey (2013), LKY is quoted outlining this assertion: one X factor remains a key differentiator, especially for developing countries: that is ethical leadershipA clean, efficient, rational, and predictable government is a competitive advantage (137).

d) Effects on Organization

Thanks to his embrace of ethical leadership, LKY was able to transform Singapore into a developed country within a...

…his deep reverence for ethics. Coupled with his transformational leadership style, he was able to unite an entire country around a progressive national agenda. On the other hand, it is clear from the text above that Enron fell as a consequence of the unethical conduct of its CEO Kenneth Lay. Despite being a charismatic leader, Lays disregard for upright conduct brought down one of the most successful companies in the country at the time causing some of the key stakeholders (including employees, creditors and investors) great pain and suffering. It therefore follows that as a future leader, I will ensure that I embrace ethical conduct. This is more so the case in relation to demonstrating respect for values and ethics. I will also ensure that I actively utilize social influence to encourage followers to behave in an ethical manner.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, it should be noted that as has clearly been demonstrated in this text, the relevance of ethical leadership cannot be overstated. Numerous organizations have in the past collapsed as a result of unethical conduct on the part of leaders. A good example in this case is Enron. Before its leaders lost their ethical bearing, the company had been performing exceptionally well. However, the failure of the top leadership of the firm to embrace certain principles and values in as far as upright behavior and conduct is concerned resulted in the companys bankruptcy filling. On the other hand, Singapore is a clear demonstration of the potential and promise of ethical leadership. This is more so the case given that via his embrace of ethical leadership and commitment towards a sound reform agenda, Lee Kuan Yeu was able to transform an otherwise average country into a developed nation within a relatively short period of time. Thus, the discussion above is…