Morality and Ethics in Leadership

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Should individual morality/ethics play a role in leadership?

I have had bosses and peers that held very strong opinions regarding drinking, smoking, swearing, etc. that originated with their own religious or ideological beliefs. Often, those beliefs dictated that they act on the moral lapses of others. In other words, it was not enough to object to drinking, they were obliged to take some action to prohibit or discourage drinking.

You can make an obvious argument that diversity requires a certain level of acceptance of others, regardless of one’s own beliefs, but you can also argue that we cannot ignore our own personal morality without losing our self-respect and subsequently, the respect of others.

So, does your individual morality/ethics play a role in your leadership style? If so, how do you reconcile differences between your beliefs and CG policy?

[ETCS Dale Bailey]

This is a great discussion point and one I’ve also had experience with so I’ll use this thread as my jumping in point.

I don’t think we can lead without the influences of our own morality and sense of ethical behavior, in fact, I think we have an obligation to provide a model of appropriate behavior.

But, I believe we should all be able to back any morality judgments with CG Policy and/or our core values. If we can’t, or if we can only by a stretch, then we may be moving outside our area of responsibility.

Your examples all have policy guidance. Smoking, legal but only in designated areas etc. Drinking, legal if member is of age and you cannot bring discredit to the service etc. Swearing, a little tougher, but covered under Human Relations policy/training.

Even if smoking and drinking are considered “evil” by a supervisor, they can be addressed in a non-judgmental format such as a unit health and wellness program rather than a sermon.

Dale

[ETCS David Kroll]

Good points Dale,
But what if the Officer in Charge is an avid non-drinker and does not want to allow beer at an event even though his crew would like it? Does he have the right to not allow it because he is the OIC? ( for the sake of this argument lets assume all are responsible drinkers ) Because he doesn't want the risk of an alcohol incident at his Station, the crew has to have a party or event without it? I understand the whole OIC responsiblity issue, but should he allow beer or wine even though it is very much against his morals?

We can also look at something I think we've all seen in our careers. What happens when the Moral committee brings up a great idea for an event or purchase and the whole crew votes to approve it. It then goes to the CO/OIC and he denies it because he doesn't think it would be fun or isn't good use of the funds. What do you do then?

Dave

[ETCS Dale Bailey]

Dave;
I see two scenarios here - one is where the OIC knows he has responsible drinkers and chooses not to allow alcohol based on his own beliefs, and the other is where he makes the choice based on avoiding an incident.

In the first one he doesn't have any CG policy to back his decision. The second one may be based on keeping his folks out of trouble. Although once the decision is made you may not be able to see the difference - I think for the sake of this discussion they are two completely different decision making processes and the first one worries me.

Dale

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I'm going to chime in here and say that I don't need CG backing to ban alcohol from a moral event. I can do it just because I don't like people drinking alcohol and nobody in my chain of command will take issue with the decision. What do you say to that?!?

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

In the "Alcohol Policies" thread, a couple of chiefs have related stories where a member of the command would watch which people consumed alcohol at parties, and take issue with same. What would cause this type of behavior, and is it acceptable?

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

Everybody in the CG is an adult or they would not be in. Do we hold them accountable for something that may are may not happen. And if we do how about the people that are responsible with the things they do. You cut out something because one person may do something stupid but in fact you are punishing the whole crew which is a morale breaker. Been there had it done to me. The arguement can also go the other way. The OINC says no to alcohol at a function and everybody goes home with no DUIs. He has done a good thing for the general public but in the crews eyes it still points to micro managing. I do not think there can be a right answer to this. The arguements can go both ways and both will be right.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

That doesn't do much for the debate, Jimmy. Take a stand! What would you do?

[ETCS Dale Bailey]

Could an OIC get away with it - you bet. But if he makes all his decisions "just because he can" rather than because of some rational thought process based on policy there will no doubt be problems down the road. Of course for the sake of this discussion, I'm referring to the decisions that have some time element to them, not the ones that have to be made immediately.
Dale

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

The question is, though, should a CO's/OIC's own personal beliefs dictate his/her actions in relation to his/her command? If my upbringing prohibits the use of alcohol, wouldn't I be a hypocrit to allow my crew to drink?

In the same light, if I believe that everyone should worship God, shouldn't I encourage and even conjole my crew into doing the same?

Don't I have an obligation to stay true to myself, even in the workplace?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Dennis said...Don't I have an obligation to stay true to myself, even in the workplace?

Yes, you do have an obligation to be true to yourself in all situations. What's true to you may not necessarily be true to everyone at your unit and that's the fine line that you have to walk as a leader. Imposing or "forcing" your belief system is never the answer. Believe me when I say, your crew will not appreciate that!

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Dennis, how can you prohibit your crew from drinking? Regardless of your beliefs there are certain rights that as an OIC/CO you have limited power over. Now can you stop drinking at your unit, yes we have established that. But, if you ban people from consuming alcohol because of your upbringing, and a person goes on leave to Spring Break and drinks, are you going to place that member on report upon his return?
To answer your question should a unit commander's beliefs dictate his or her actions in relation to her/his command? Yes it should dictate your actions. Infact as an OIC we are to remain above reproach, period. But should we force those beliefs down the throats of our crews, in my view no. As was answered earlier, we all have an obligation to being true to ourselves. I will let a higher power than me make final judgement on the moral standards of others.

[ENS Craig Dente (OSC)]

This is a really good thread.

I think the first thing to remember with diversity is that different people have different sets of values. For instance, using alcohol may offend one person, but may be perfectly acceptable to another. If the non-drinker talks down to a person who uses alcohol, the drinker might be offended. Different things offend different people -- obesity, smoking, drinking, etc. Normative attitudes about legal activities only divide and alienate people.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I don't think you guys are seeing "the Big Picture" here. Let me give you another example (real life, actually happened, no kidding).

A young petty officer arrives to work. Hung over the rear-view mirror of his own vehicle is a small rebel flag. We all know that this particular piece of Americana has many connotations, positive and negative, depending on the individual. One of those connotations is racism.

I asked him about the flag. He explained that he was from Georgia, the flag was a symbol of his heritage, and that it had nothing to do with racism.

Being from the north, I argued that whatever his perception of the flag, others could/would perceive it as a symbol of racism.

I had one view, he had another, and CG policy does not address this item specifically. So, I let my system of beliefs (morality and ethics) dictate my course of action. I had him remove the flag.

As his chief, what would you have done, and why?

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

I did see the big picture but with that said. The alcohol example is very subjective and its not a symbol of racism. In the example you gave I too would have had the person remove the small flag.
Here's why, say the car in parked in the station parking lot. You have a new member report who is of another ethnitic background. That person does not know who owns the car, just sees the flag. Based on that first impression have we provided a comfortable work environment for that new person. In my view No.
Say instead of removing it he just parked off the station what would you have done then?

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

If he had moved off of the station, I wouldn't have done anything.

But, let's consider the argument from his side. That flag is no different to him than an Italian flag would be to an Italian-American. It's simply a symbol of where he come's from.

He considered my action to be about imposing my own will, rather than CG policy. And, he was right.

The CO/OIC that won't allow alcohol at a function is behaving in the same manner. He/she feels it is in the best interest of the unit, not to have alcohol because his/her own experiences, beliefs, and morality say it's so.

This entire topic is subjective. That's what makes our decisions up for dispute. To paraphrase your own words, Nick, having that individual remove the flag would be forcing your own beliefs down his throat.

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

I would have to let people enjoy themselves. Why punish everybody for a mistake one irresponsible person may make. Everybody should be held responsible for their own actions. Everybody should not be held responsible for one persons actions.

[ETCS David Kroll]

And as for the confederate flag. I would have let him keep it. :eek: Instead of protecting someone who MIGHT be offended, you offended this person for a perfectly legal flag. Personally, I'm offended by alot of the rap music I hear which these radio stations are preprogrammed into our Gov't vehicles. We have to have ethics but stick to the CG policies.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Personal Morality and Ethics is an important part of who each of us is as a person.

I am willing to bet that most of us, without actually asking ourselves the question, base nearly every decision on our moral and ethical character that we had ingrained in us from the time we were born.

We learn and develop our moral and ethical foundation from a variety of sources. Everything from the way our parents did or did not raise us, whether we are rich or poor, religious or not, public school or private catholic school, the list could go on.

We already have some form of moral and ethical foundation to our leadership decisiuons whether we are conscious of them or not. Its a moot point!

[BMC Kerry Wagoner]

As OIC, yes my personal beliefs and convictions make up a part of my decisions, a part, not the whole. I believe you must make decisions based on several issues: IAW CG regs/policies, legal, fair to the majority, consistant and most of all, is it needed or wanted.

I would not make a decision solely based on my morality or ethics. If I were a avid non-drinker and the crew wanted alcohol at a unit function and it was in line with my issues stated above, then they would have alcohol.

I do not believe it is either fair or right to impose a single person's beliefs on others, even if that person is the CO/OIC.

I see almost everyday articles that disagree with my morality and beliefs, some right here on the base. Still I say nothing because I know it is in line with current regulations and is not against the law. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

I agree with ya, Kerry. We could, and I have no problem, discussing different scenarios, where ethics and morality factor into a decision. i.e. alcohol, flags haging from a rear view mirror, even what is appropriate hanging in a UPH room.
Im also not blind to the fact that in some of the decisions I have made my morality & ethics have played a rule in the decision making process. Is that right, as long as it falls in line with current COMDTINST and policy then yes it is. But as soon as it deviates from those guidelines then it is "forcing our beliefs down the throats of our people".
Most of the tough decisions we make are based on judgement and experience. But I dont remember ever hearing that anybody should make a decision based soley on personnal agendas.

[ENS Craig Dente (OSC)]

I think that you made the right decision. To many southerners, the confederate flag symbolizes freedom and rebellion against tyrany. For many people that are not from that region, the confederate flag is perceived as a symbol of hatred, racial biggotry, and slavery.

Something like that has the potential to create serious conflict among a crew. Even worse, to an outsider (i.e. civilian) visiting your base (say a news reporter), it may even represent that the CG is a racist organization because that symbol is freely displayed in a CG parking lot. Imagine what a Coastie fresh out of boot camp who is a minority would think if they saw that as he or she was reporting in for the first time.

There are regualtions about many things. Propriety isn't always easily defined. That's where you must use your judgement.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

The flag in question also symbolizes armed inserection against the United States to some and is on the list of offensive tatoos that could bar enlistment into the CG.
In my opinion ...give unto Ceasar...
If you want to waste your life wearing sheets and burning crosses... have at it....but once you walk through the front gate you had better adhere to the CG diversity statement.
If you want to ring door bells at 0630 on a saturday and enlighten people to the word of Jehovah...have at it...but come monday you had better be preaching the COMDT policy.
Listen to the music of your choosing, just not loud enough to force others to hear things that you know were designed to offend someone.
Whatever your personal preferrence in the multi-billion dollars porn industry...keep it at home.
And when I am in the mood to listen to a preacher.....I'll go to the church of my choosing, not yours.
The COMDt's policy on alcohol was not designed to remove alcohol from service life, prohibition was, and it failed and was repeeled. The policy was designed to remove the ill effects from the work environment. If you think that alcohol has that dangerous of an effect on your entire crew, then you're giving alcohol too much credit and your crew too little.
As leaders we can impart our own personal philosophies and ideologies on the people that come to us and solicit it. Lets not force it on those that don't.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Where may I find this list of tatoos that bars someone from enlistment in the CG?

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Dennis, the manual you're looking for is COMDTINST 1000.1, Tattoos and Body Marking Policy for Coast Guard Accession.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

And it doesn't neccessarily bar someone from enlistment. People are allowed to justify the reason that they have the tatoo, its meaning to them, and are afforded an opportunity to alter or remove those that are still deemed as offensive. The list grows all the time in things ranging from gang signs to religious symbols. Contact your local recruiter, that is where I had to go when this question came up at work. Some people have documentation showing that they went through this screening prior to enlistment.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

If anyone is interested in the type of tattoos that recruits show up with, email me and I can forward you a couple of pictures.

The recruits in these pictures had to get them altered during leave before reporting to their first unit. I find it interesting that these weren't discovered by the recruiter. Don't they ask?

Anyway, if you're interested drop me a note and I'll fire them at you.


dcsmith@pacnorwest.uscg.mil

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I looked at the instruction and it doesn't specifically mention the rebel flag.
However, it does seem to fall into the catagory where command discretion is used, because of its many applications.

My original point still stands. Two chiefs will look at that flag with different perspectives. It doesn't always imply racism. And since the instruction on tatoos indicates questioning the wearer as to his intent, COMDT implies that the symbol is acceptable if the intent was not negative.

So, if your the only guy at the unit that is concerned about the flag, aren't you imposing your own views/values on this poor guy that is flying the rebel flag from his rearview mirror? Aren't you letting your own system of ethics/morality govern your actions?

You may get to make that decision because your in a position of authority, but COMDT is not telling you what to do...your making that decision on your own.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Absolutely. But if one person in your command comes to you and says that he or she is the only one offended by that same tatoo or sticker, do you follow your own ethics and convictions, or the COMDT's? Deane has a picture of an individual that was told that he had to alter a tatoo with a portion of the flag in question prior to reporting from Cape May. I don't know if the member was unable to articulate his beliefs or the listener was unable to understand another person's point of view....but the outcome was the same. I was attached to a tender in the seventh district when a PA from the Bulletin did a story about our work. The cover photo had a non-rate with two of those stickers on his hard hat. I am from Pa., but had spent enough time in the south that I saw that flag everywhere and paid no attention to it whatsoever, and no one from the unit had ever complained. When the story was published they received so many phone calls, letters, and e-mails, that the CG sent a team down and did a climate assessment on the unit. Last year I was in Boston and saw the flag in the back window of a truck parked in the SOQ's parking space. It was parked next to the CO's spot and I didn't see any rallies forming. Beauty and Offense are in the eye of the beholder.

And I hate that I continually edit my own posts to finish a though or correct typos after I send them but to answer your question, yes, I would have had a member of my crew, or someone that parked on my base remove the flag. Not because of my personal believes or ethics, but because of the situations that I have witness on this subject and the offenses that I have heard from others. It is still a symbol that is offensive to many for various reasons, so there is no room for it in the work place.
And yes I extend the work place to include government parking and base housing.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

You cannot fall back on COMDT policy with this one.

1) To answer your question- you follow your own ethics and convictions because COMDT has left it up to you.

2) COMDT policy is not making this decision for you.

3) COMDT tells you to use your own discretion. Your discretion is based on your own ethical/moral code.

4) You're imposing that code on someone else.

5) Your no more "right" than the person that disagrees with your decision. Your simply in a position to enforce that decision.

6) This is a gray area in your world of black and white.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Dennis.....you're so hostile. It pains me to think that you're waiting around for the opportunity to prove me wrong. There is a COMDT policy for everything. Creating an environment free from discrimination and harrassment or the perception of them is at the core of both our equal opportunity and diversity policies written by .....who was that again.....oh yeah, the COMDT. Once you become aware that a symbol, like oh I don't know...that flag.....are perceived by some to be offensive, we as leaders must remove them from the work environment. Call around, people are being told to alter or remove tatoos or be removed from the service. I'm not kicking them out. I doubt that their recruiters are kicking them out. .........Must come from COMDT, like every other person that is discharged. If you would read my entire posts instead of only looking for ways to prove me wrong you would see that the COMDT sent a team down to my former unit to do a climate assessment. One was done and they had the crew remove all of those stickers. I think they did the same thing that you did with your one guy and one flag. Does it bother you more that it is being done, or being done by COMDT. Does this somehow make you less of a wild cannon spreading your will on the world. There are gray areas in your world because you want there to be gray areas. Remove any symbol that people truely find offensive from the work place and you will be "right". Make the workplace safer for those who do bussiness there and you will always be right. If you really need me to research policy and find a quote on why we should strive to remove all discimination both implied and perceived from the work place let me know, I will. Call COMDT and ask him for his take on this. I can get you his number.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

yawn.

As usual, I'll give you the last word.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Personally, I don't drink. I don't see a whole lot of good things happen as a result of drinking. However, that being said. I also believe that people have the right to make their own decisions in that regard. When my Change of Command was held and I took over as OIC here, the outgoing OIC chose not to have alcohol at the C of C. That was fine with me. His choice. Later we had a annual picnic with our Auxilliary flotilla and Reservists. Even though I don't drink, this was primarily an "adult" event and I allowed beer to be available for those that would like to have one. If this had been a "family" event, I would have probobly chosen differently, simply because, in my experience, I don't need to have my kids around the language and stories that tend to come out when people have had a couple beers. That was my choice.
As an XPO I had to deal with a few alcohol incidents. My personal thought is, people have to make the choice for themselves. One cannot legislate morality. If someone makes a choice that leads to other choices that end up leading them into trouble, then they must face the consequences of their decisions. If someone can go out and have a few beers and laughs then that is great for them. Their choice. On the other hand, if they are out having a few beers and laughs and end up in a bar fight, get a DUI, wake up with someone (and maybe something; VD, AIDS) that they didn't intend, then they will have to face the music. The Coast Guard has a policy regarding drinking. The UCMJ has articles that address drinking and duty, etc. As long as people don't step outside of those policies, I don't think it is right for me, or anyone else to infringe on the rights of others to make personal decisions, whether we personally think they are right or wrong.
A good leader is one that can make the tough decision, articulate his reasoning for making that decision, and stand behind his decision. Sometimes good people make poor choices and that is when a leader is tested. Shipmates need to look out for one another and try to keep each other out of trouble. A leader needs to make every effort to see the train comming and make the necessary decisions to avoid the collision. On the other hand, if you pull the reins to hard, the horse is gonna buck. It is a balancing act. :rolleyes:

BMC Jim