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Abstract

This research paper seeks to identify the difference between organizations that practice ethical leadership methods, and those that do not. This comparative research explores literature on both amoral leadership and ethical leadership methods of nonprofit management. The methods used can be described as research-based analysis between two case studies, personal interviews, and comparative analysis of two theories. A literature review and analysis are the main research methods used in this paper. In addition, two individual case studies are compared in this study, as they exemplify both types of organizational leadership. Findings from the review and analysis show that nonprofit managers who employ ethical leadership methods over amoral management will successfully institute greater cultures of integrity, leading to more effective organizations. Research shows that ethical leadership lends itself to higher productivity within organizations, higher levels of trust of management, and also positively impacts individual work engagement. The two case studies explored in this paper detail the circumstances of both an organization that failed to enact and follow ethical leadership standards, and also of an organization that leads with ethical intentionality. The norms and behaviors deemed as important by organizational management and leadership are reflected throughout organizations, and as a result, is reflected in how successfully a nonprofit meets their mission. Amoral management is a modern concept of management that avoids instituting ethical decision making within an organization. This can lead to moral fall-out and unethical decision making, including fraud or malfeasance. As nonprofit, public, and private leaders look to the future of motivational and intentional leadership, an ethical approach focused on key stakeholders, the public they serve, and those leading the mission will prevail.

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