Abstract
M.Ed.
We have reached a turning point in this moment of a new era in which ethics and morals are based on sound ethical ground and play an important role in our everyday life, including that of educators, learners and other participants in the sphere of education. What is of great concern is the fact that no day goes by without some media exposure of unethical behavior of organizational leaders or exhortations about the need for ethics in
business and public life. There is a great public perception today that profits, regardless on any other consideration, are the major driving force for business and that even unethical means seem to be justified in the relentless pursuit of profit. Business education also seems to be affected by an ethical malaise. The school is a special institution, where all activities are focused at enabling learners to achieve optimal education. This total activity takes place within a sound ethical ground framework Laws, regulations, rules and codes of conduct determine the behavior of all the role-players so that each of them will know what his/her specific duties are and will be able to carry them out to the best of his/her abilities. It is, therefore, not surprising that society demands and expects greater accountability from schools. The leadership of these institutions bears the primary responsibility to respond to these demands. The beliefs and values, the vision, and above all, the actions of the leader set the ethical tone and standards for the school. The ethical behavior of the staff members is inspired by the leader. It is this fundamentally crucial role of the leader that has prompted the writing of this mini
-dissertation. It proposes that orie:s understanding of leadership is severely incomplete, if not distorted, if one does not also consider the ethics or morality of leadership.
Knowledge and observance of the ethical or moral provisions that are applicable to his/her profession contribute to the educator's professionalism. For learned, observance of school rules and codes of conduct provide a secure environment within which they can learn. In this way both parties can concentrate their efforts on promoting the process of education.
Individual educators who aspire for leadership positions cannot expect to live separate lives with different, and often contradictory, sets of values for each. -The mini-dissertation demonstrates that true, effective leadership is one in which the leader's behavior and the exercise of the leadership influence process are consistent with ethical and moral values. To such a leader, honestly for instance, is not a matter of "policy" but of virtue. It also argues that the ethics of leadership is consistent with the spirituality of the different religious traditions. Such spirituality can provide the leader with the inner , strength and sustenance to be true to the moral demands that are made in the exercise of leadership. Finally, the review of the literature, the conceptual models, and the issues and questions that are identified are intended to prompt further research and study into the morality of leadership.