Servant leadership ethics and entrepreneurism

In Topic 3, you conducted research to identify three sources to support a discussion of the integration of servant leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurism as they relate to your career opportunities.

In 750-1,000-words, describe your vision for your career once you have completed your master's degree (Master’s in Business Administration and Master’s in Leadership). In your discussion, address the impact completing this degree will have on meeting the greater social good in your industry and within the community. Include information from the sources relating to the three pillars of the Colangelo College of Business (servant leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurism), as well as a discussing how the pillars (under rubric) relate to the Christian mission.

This assignment requires a minimum of three scholarly sources.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric (below). Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.

Rubric

1 Unsatisfactory 0.00%

2 Less than Satisfactory 74.00%

3 Satisfactory 79.00%

4 Good 87.00%

5 Excellent 100.00%

70.0 %Content

15.0 % Entrepreneurism

No attempt of understanding and articulating entrepreneurism is demonstrated.

The student demonstrates little understanding of entrepreneurism with no reference to the student’s selected article.

The student demonstrates basic understanding of entrepreneurism through minimal citations of the student’s selected article.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of entrepreneurism through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student begins to articulate elements of entrepreneurism but is not fully developed.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of entrepreneurial spirit through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student clearly articulates elements of entrepreneurism.

15.0 % Ethics

No attempt of understanding and articulating ethics is demonstrated.

The student demonstrates little understanding of ethics with no reference to the student’s selected article.

The student demonstrates basic understanding of ethics through minimal citations of the student’s selected article.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of ethics through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student begins to articulate elements of ethics but is not fully developed.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of innovation through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student clearly articulates elements of ethics.

15.0 % Servant Leadership

No attempt at understanding and articulating servant leadership is demonstrated.

The essay demonstrates little understanding of servant leadership with no reference to the student's selected article.

The essay demonstrates basic understanding of servant leadership through minimal citations from the selected article.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of servant leadership through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student begins to articulate elements of servant leadership but is not fully developed.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of servant leadership through appropriate citations of the student’s selected article and other resources. The student clearly articulates elements of servant leadership.

25.0 % Application of Pillars in Student’s Career or Industry Contribute to the Greater Social Good

Application of two or less pillars is demonstrated.

Minor application of the three pillars is demonstrated. The student’s application exhibits minimal thought of the appropriate contributions of their career/industry influencing the greater social good.

Clear and basic application of the three pillars is demonstrated. The student’s application exhibits basic thought of the appropriate contributions of their career/industry influencing the greater social good.

Clear, appropriate, and logical application of the three pillars is demonstrated. The student’s application begins to exhibit thought of the appropriate contributions of their career/industry influencing the greater social good and is nearly developed.

Clear, appropriate, and logical application of the three pillars is demonstrated. The student’s application exhibits rational thought of the appropriate contributions of their career/industry influencing the greater social good.

20.0 %Organization and Effectiveness

20.0 % Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

Writing is unclear and not concise. Spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar errors significantly distract from the purpose and organization of the paper. Language use is inappropriate for the academic setting.

Clarity and conciseness in writing could be improved. Spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar errors distract from purpose and organization of the paper. Language use could be improved for the academic setting.

Writing is generally clear and concise. Some spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar errors may be found. Language use could be improved for the academic setting.

Writing is generally clear and concise. Some spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar errors may be found. Language use is appropriate for the academic setting.

Writing is consistently clear and concise. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are free of error. Language use represents high competence in academic writing.

10.0 %Format

10.0 % APA Formatting and Research Citations

Does not follow APA formatting. No reference page is included. No citations are used.

APA formatting is inconsistently used. Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used.

APA formatting is used although some errors may be present. Elements may be missing such as introduction, conclusion, or headings. Reference page is included and sources are documented although some errors may be present.

APA formatting is present and appropriate. The style is usually correct although some components may be missing such as introduction paragraph, conclusion, etc. Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources.

Writer has a clear understanding of APA formatting and included all necessary components. Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and citation style is usually correct.

100 % Total Weightage

Three Pillars

Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is an egoless style of leadership driven by a higher sense of values where the needs of an organization's employees and stakeholders are placed before the needs of the organization's leaders. The needs, growth, and development of employees are the primary foci of servant leaders. Servant leaders believe that satisfied employees are more engaged, treat customers well, and, as a result, produce quality results for the organization.

In the college of business, students learn how servant leadership influences individual, group, and organizational behavior. Students are taught how to integrate principles of servant leadership, stewardship, social responsibility, and a Christian perspective with essential business practices to benefit stakeholders and society. Students are encouraged to apply the principles of servant leadership in their personal and professional lives during their studies and throughout their lives. The college practices the concepts of servant leadership when making decisions by balancing the needs of students and other stakeholders with the needs of the college, the university, and its accrediting bodies.

Ethics

"Ethics is a value system by which individuals evaluate and judge behaviors of themselves and others" (Cordeiro, 2003, p. 265). These ethical principles guide individuals in discerning right from wrong. Businesses, governments, schools, and individuals use ethics to make decisions every day. Consequences follow every ethical or unethical decision.

Some companies put profits over ethics and use deception and dishonesty as a competitive advantage. Reports of individuals embezzling funds, selling flawed or tainted goods, misrepresenting facts to bolster gains, social irresponsibility, and inattention to environmental impact are evidence of ethical problems. Unethical decisions can ruin reputations and relationships with communities, employee and customer livelihoods, and corporate financial stability.

Being Honest and Truthful

Ethics are important in the Colangelo College of Business. As a Christian University, we believe that God was serious when he said "Lie not one to another" (Col 3:9 King James Version) and "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Ex 20:16). Graduates of the CCOB understand God's mandate to be honest, deal with others fairly, practice strategies for conducting business with personal and professional integrity. Ethical decision making strengthens relationships within communities and builds a positive brand image. Doing business ethically also allows companies and individuals to avoid legal trouble and the associated costs of unethical decision making.

Make doing the right thing a priority for all interactions. Jerry Colangelo (1999) notes that people inevitably make honest mistakes that cause problems or create obstacles in business:

The point is not to compound those ordinary mistakes with lapses in personal judgment and in personal and professional values. Stick to your basic beliefs, your fundamental values, to see you through and help you maintain an even, ethical foundation. (Colangelo, 1999, p. 62)

Compromising personal integrity only compounds the problem. If you stay true to ethical principles and values, you will resolve the problem in a more timely fashion.

Entrepreneurism

Entrepreneurial Spirit

"Creativity is the seed that inspires entrepreneurship" (Nadkarni, 2013, p. 2). Entrepreneurs are traditionally viewed as risk takers who have a unique idea that drives them to start and grow a small business to promote their idea. The CCOB emphasizes that entrepreneurial spirit and innovation go hand-in-hand, and that creativity and innovation will cease to exist within organizations unless they are willing to also foster an entrepreneurial spirit.

The CCOB teaches its students that entrepreneurial spirit is important in organizations of all sizes, and those successful organizational leaders, even in the largest organizations, must be willing to take risks to make significant product and organizational improvements. The CCOB displays entrepreneurial spirit within its organization by allowing faculty and staff to seek new ways to deliver high quality, academically challenging course content. The CCOB fosters an entrepreneurial spirit among its students by providing faculty who possess real-world entrepreneurial experience and are willing to share what they have learned from both their successes and failures.

Creativity and Innovation

Creativity and innovation are essential for entrepreneurs and modern organizations to compete in a global environment. The CCOB prepares its students to develop creative organizations by providing insight into the latest concepts and research in innovation. Emphasis is placed on how to promote an organizational environment that fosters creativity and how to develop and implement strategies that use innovation to help entrepreneurs meet the needs of customers and stakeholders.

Graduates of the CCOB are encouraged to be creative entrepreneurs constantly looking for opportunities to improve products, processes, and service. "There's an adage that states, 'You work, you work hard, you work harder.' Add to that, 'You work to stay on the cutting edge of your business, and you never give up, and you keep plugging away'" (Colangelo, 1999, p. 62).

Persistence

Failure and obstacles are constant threats to new entrepreneurs. The most successful entrepreneurs persevere through trying periods. Failure inspires these entrepreneurs and provides opportunities to grow. Learning from prior mistakes and pushing forward to succeed are marks of strong entrepreneurs. Persistence and perseverance pay off.

When you throw yourself into something, when you're passionate about it, you're going to get better and better at it. You're going to learn what has already worked and what hasn't. Then you can employ that knowledge as a base, as a jumping-off point, and experiment and innovate and take your business another step forward. (Colangelo, 1999, p. 71)

Take failure in stride. Learn to improve and keep moving toward the goal.

Conclusion

The metaphor of "pillars" describes the importance the CCOB places on servant leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurial spirit. These pillars are foundational to all programs of study. There are online resources available to CCOB graduate students through the Center for Learning and Advancement (CLA). Refer to the resources found within the Center for Learning and Advancement located at http://www.gcu.edu/Learning-Resources/Center-for-Learning-and-Advancement.php for more information. Remember this advice from Jerry Colangelo (1999): "Study, work, learn, be ready. That's all you can do. That should be enough" (p. 46). Following this advice should guide you on a prosperous educational journey.

References

Colangelo, J. (with Sherman, L.). (1999). How you play the game: Lessons for life from the billion-dollar business of sports. New York, NY: AMACOM.

Cordeiro, W. P. (2003). The only solution to the decline in business ethics: Ethical managers. Teaching Business Ethics, 7(3), 265.

Nadkarni, S. (2013). Entrepreneurship and innovation in small business. Indian Streams Research Journal, 3(4), 1-4.