8.3 Ethical Considerations in Persuasive Communication

Persuasive communication in leadership comes with ethical responsibilities. Leaders must consider power dynamics, potential consequences, and cultural sensitivity when influencing others. Ethical persuasion uses logical arguments and emotional appeals with integrity, while unethical tactics involve deception or coercion.

Ethical decision-making in persuasion requires a framework. Leaders should apply ethical principles, follow a step-by-step process, and conduct stakeholder analysis. Case studies help illustrate common dilemmas, such as whistleblowing and crisis communication, and provide lessons for developing ethical guidelines.

Ethical Foundations in Persuasive Communication

Ethical implications of persuasive leadership

Top images from around the web for Ethical implications of persuasive leadership

• 

  Frontiers | How Ethical Leadership Shapes Employees’ Readiness to Change: The Mediating Role of ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Unit 33: Informative and Persuasive Presentations – Communication Skills View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Logos, Ethos, Pathos | Developmental English: Introduction to College Composition View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How Ethical Leadership Shapes Employees’ Readiness to Change: The Mediating Role of ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Unit 33: Informative and Persuasive Presentations – Communication Skills View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Ethical implications of persuasive leadership

• 

  Frontiers | How Ethical Leadership Shapes Employees’ Readiness to Change: The Mediating Role of ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Unit 33: Informative and Persuasive Presentations – Communication Skills View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Logos, Ethos, Pathos | Developmental English: Introduction to College Composition View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How Ethical Leadership Shapes Employees’ Readiness to Change: The Mediating Role of ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Unit 33: Informative and Persuasive Presentations – Communication Skills View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Power dynamics in leadership shape influence over subordinates and responsibility to stakeholders (employees, shareholders, customers)
• Potential consequences of persuasive messages ripple through short-term and long-term effects impacting individuals and organizations
• Transparency and honesty in communication necessitate disclosure of intentions and avoiding manipulation tactics
• Cultural sensitivity in persuasive approaches respects diverse perspectives and adapts communication styles (high-context vs low-context cultures)

Ethical vs unethical persuasion techniques

• Ethical persuasion methods employ logical argumentation, emotional appeal with integrity, and provide complete information
• Unethical persuasion tactics utilize deception and lying, coercion or threats, and exploitation of vulnerabilities (age, education level)
• Gray areas in persuasion include withholding information, use of flattery, and appeal to fear or insecurity

Ethical Decision-Making in Persuasive Communication

Framework for ethical persuasion decisions

• Ethical principles to consider:
  1. Utilitarianism maximizes greatest good for the greatest number
  2. Deontology focuses on duty-based ethics
  3. Virtue ethics emphasizes character-based approach
• Steps in ethical decision-making:
  1. Identify the ethical issue
  2. Gather relevant information
  3. Consider alternatives and consequences
  4. Make a decision and implement
  5. Evaluate the outcome
• Stakeholder analysis identifies affected parties and assesses potential impacts (employees, customers, community)
• Personal values alignment ensures consistency with individual moral standards and considers organizational values

Case studies in persuasion ethics

• Components of case study analysis identify key ethical issues, stakeholder perspectives, and potential courses of action
• Common ethical dilemmas in leadership involve whistleblowing situations, conflicts of interest, and crisis communication scenarios (product recalls, environmental disasters)
• Evaluation of outcomes weighs short-term vs long-term consequences, reputation management, and legal and regulatory compliance
• Lessons learned and best practices develop ethical guidelines, create a culture of ethical communication, and promote continuous improvement in ethical decision-making