Leaders have an undeniable influence on their followers. Because of this power they have an overwhelming responsibility to lead in an ethical way. According to our text, “ethical leadership is the influence of a moral person who moves others to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons”(Northouse, 2012, p. 231). Leaders are not only required to function to the highest ethical standards, but they are also responsible for making sure their leaders operate in an ethical way in an ethical environment. When this doesn’t happen the entire organization can face hardship. Our lesson identifies six factors of ethical leadership; character of the leader, actions of the leader, goals of the leader, honesty of the leader, power of the leader, a values of a leader (PSU, 2013).
To show the effects of unethical leadership and the negative toll it took on both the leaders and the followers, I will examine the roles of these identified ethical factors involved in the drug doping actions of American cyclist hero Lance Armstrong. In the beginning Lance Armstrong had ethical goals; he wanted to train the highest performing cycling team to proudly represent his country. Additionally, as a cancer survivor he created a foundation to help cancer patients gain the finances and treatment they need. However, he pursued his goals with unethical means and both he and his cycling team were stripped on their Tour de France medals and banned from professional cycling for blood doping. He also is no longer the chairman for the cancer foundation he created and his foundation has lost many supporters. It was his actions of providing, encouraging, and utilizing the blood doping drugs that caused the embarrassment and ultimately the failure for himself and the athletes he led. Not only were his actions of cheating unethical, but before Lance Armstrong was caught also threatened the welfare of other cyclists and forced others to quit competitive cycling out of fear for reprisal. Threatening the lives of other with violence, and endangering the lives of others with harmful drugs is not a trait found in effective or ethical leaders. Lance has been under the spotlight for drug use allegation for over a decade, and until recently he has denied them adamantly. However, he has recently begun apologizing to people who have felt the negative effects of his scandal in hopes of saving support for his foundation. While he still has not openly admitted drug use organizations have said that the evidence him is overwhelming. If Lance had been honest and not cheated in the beginning, or admitted use after the first allegations from the 1990’s so many people would not have been victims of his poor leadership and behavior. He has ruined the careers of many of our nation’s top cyclists.
Lance did not display any of the characteristics of ethics that a leader should, especially such an idealized and beloved leader. It is difficult to image this type of person inspired cancer survivors and shaped the future of American cycling. Lance used his influence and power in American cycling to end the careers of several cyclists and eventually caused others to be stripped of their medals. He displayed no value in human life, an equal playing field, or the black and white rules of the competition. His character of violence and dishonesty has be nothing to look up to or respect. His offensives are far more scandalous than other ‘unethical’ examples such as the Lewinsky Clinton scandal because Armstrong continued these actions for over a decade. In the span of this decade Armstrong continued to lie to his supporters, cancer survivors, sponsors, competitors, partners, and investigators.
Pearson, M. (n.d.). Doping scandal costs Lance Armstrong sponsors, charity role. Retrieved from CNN
website: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/17/us/lance-armstrong-doping/index.html
Shih, Shin-I. (n.d.). Psych 485: Leadership in Work Settings. Lesson 14: Ethics and Leadership. Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa13/psych485/002/content/14_lesson/12_page.html
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (Kindle Edition). Los Angeles: Sage Publications