Management trainer and author Mary Donohue claims that tyrannical, authoritarian bosses are commonplace: “This is a virus that has spread far and wide.” These managers, she says, rule over their employees and use fear “as their primary weapon.” Christine Porath, who has studied workplace civility, equates rudeness and incivility at work with secondhand smoke, permeating the workplace atmosphere and harming those other than the target. While Apple visionary Steve Jobs was celebrated for his remarkable accomplishments, he was often accused of harsh, dictatorial management practices. Business Insider lists 16 episodes of “Jobs Being a Huge Jerk,” including allegations of lying to his partner Steve Wozniak about the money involved in a deal, firing employees without notice or severance pay, and firing a manager in front of his team. Reports suggest that Jobs was often a good, charming person and leader and that he mellowed somewhat in later years.

Questions
1. What ethical issues might be raised in the workplace by a leader who is a “jerk”?
2. a. If so, which of the ethical theories noted above seems to be guiding your behaviors? Explain.
b. If not, would one of the ethical theories justify your other-than-“nice” behaviors? Explain.
3. Do you think the “disagreeable giver” approach to management is ethically defensible? Explain by using the ethical theories examined above.
4. The New England Patriots has a “character coach” who, among other things, checks attendance at meetings and addresses issues such as tardiness. The “character coach” has been called the Patriots’ “secret weapon.”38 Do you think all organizations could use a character coach? Explain.