Running head: PRACTICE OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

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1.Creating Community:

Did Johnson use Starbucks’ shared values as the cornerstone of his decision making
after the arrests?

Yes, Johnson used Starbucks’ shared values as the cornerstone of his decision making
after the incident involving the arrest of two black men. After the incident, Johnson released a
statement reiterating that everyone can use facilities situated at Starbucks without necessarily
having to make a purchase. Johnson further reiterated that Starbucks is aimed at creating a
culture of belong and culture such that everyone is welcome without any restriction.

Did his decision to close all Starbucks stores for unconscious bias training and to create a
new “Third Space Policy” align with Starbucks’ mission and goals?

Yes, the decision aligned with Starbucks’ mission and goals. Starbucks is committed ate
creating a culture of belonging and warmth such that everybody is welcome. The closure of the
business was important because it gave the management an opportunity if integrating this
purpose into its employees. Again, the decision of closing down the business was an act of
“feeling sorry” thus, increased probability of customers to understand what really transpired.

Did his handling of the incident promote positive relationships between employees and
customers? Did it encourage a sense of connectedness and shared values?

Yes, his handling of the incident promoted a positive relationship between customers and
employees. Prior to the incident, Starbucks had no policy asking customers to depart, in case of
anything, and leave the discretion to the store manager. However, after the incident, Starbucks
revolved that everyone is allowed to operate at Starbucks. The environment was made
“welcoming and safe for everyone”. A welcoming and safe environment is characterized by
shared values and connectedness.

2.Encouraging Ethical Conduct:

Did Johnson openly acknowledge that his decision was based in ethics and morality?

No, Johnson did not openly acknowledge that his decision was based in ethics and

morality. Johnson said that the video was hard to watch and the actions in the video did not

represent Starbucks’ Mission and Values (Tangdall, 2018). The question of ethics and morality is

addressed in Starbucks’ Mission and Values, and ethical standards; however, Johnson addressed

the issue indirectly.

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Did his apology and actions promote awareness of an ethical issue?  Did it create a positive

or negative difference in the communities Starbucks serves? Did it make a positive or

negative difference for Starbucks employees and customers?

Yes, his apology promoted the awareness of the issue. After the incident, Johnson

conceded that the actions in the did not represent Starbucks’ Mission and Values. After that, an

involving environment was created where everybody was required to operate within Starbucks

without necessarily having to purchase anything. Johnson, in his apology, focused on the action

and alert (Tangdall, 2018).

The apology created a positive difference. After the apology, Johnson met the two men

that got arrested, implying that the awareness was fully created, and the management of the

organization really meant change (Tangdall, 2018).

For the customers and employees, it made a difference. For the employees, they had an

opportunity of being trained on “unconscious bias training” This made them more aware of what

they should do if they are faced with disruptive. For the customers, an inspiring and nurturing

climate was created where a person can take tea and wait, at the same time.

3.Showing Discipline in One’s Role:

Does Johnson explicitly accept responsibility for the incident and provide direction

for a course correction?

To a greater extent, Yes. Johnson explicitly accepted the responsibility of the incident.

According to Skeet (2017), good leaders accept the responsibility of a mistake upon identifying
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an interest of conflict. After the incident, Johnson took the entire responsibility of the actions

involving the employees (Tangdall, 2018). However, I can also say that Johnson failed to take

the responsibility because the manager who was responsible for the arrest was fired the following

day. Jonson said that the employees were insufficiently trained, meaning the manager had to

sufficient knowledge on how to handle the customers (Tangdall, 2018).

Johnson provides a direction for the course of action. In his apology, Johnson delineated

the investigations that the company will take. He outlined the actionable steps to be taken. For

instance, meeting with the stakeholders of the company in the quest for learning how to do things

differently (Tangdall, 2018).

Does he identify ways to collaborate with others when necessary?

Yes, Johnson identifies was of collaborating with other people when appropriate. For

instance, among the actions that he reiterated regarding solving such incidences is meeting with

the stakeholders of the company in the quest for learning how to do things differently. This is

important in reaching an amicable solution c. Again, Johnson directly involved the men that were

arrested. He met them in Philadelphia after issuing an apology. He wanted to hear from them

about what the company can do to prevent those incidences from taking place again (Tangdall,

2018).

Does he show he understands what his role is in fixing this problem?

, Johnson absolutely understands his role in fixing the problem. Johnson understands that

the first step of solving the problem is issuing an apology bay taking up the responsibility. Again,

he understands that relevant stakeholders are important in solving the problem (Tangdall, 2018).
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Johnson involved Starbucks’ stakeholders, and he even involved the victims in the process of

looking for an amicable solution. Additionally, Johnson seems good in fixing the source of the

problem. He ordered the stores to be closed in order for the employees to be trained on better

ways of dealing with such incidents (Tangdall, 2018).

4.Clarifying Culture:

Did Johnson clarify his values and the company’s values in his apology and with his

subsequent actions?

Yes, Johnson clarified his values and values of the company. After the incident, Johnson

issued an apology reiterating that the company is aimed at creating a surrounding that is both

welcoming and safe for everyone (Tangdall, 2018). He reiterated that, the company’s training

and practices were responsible for the bad outcome, thus need for administering good training

and carrying out appropriate practices.

Did Johnson’s apology and follow-up actions uphold Starbucks’ mission and core values?

Yes, Johnson’s apology and follow-up actions upheld Starbucks’ mission and core

values. Starbucks mission states that the company is aimed at building an environment capable

of inspiring and nurturing human spirit (Tangdall, 2018). On the other hand, Starbucks’ core

values involving welcoming any customer regardless of whether he or she is making a purchase

or not. This is clearly reflected by the fact that the company was able to create a surrounding that

is both welcoming and safe for everyone (Tangdall, 2018).

Did he identify gaps between stated and actual values?

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Yes, he identified the gap between the actual values and the stated values. Johnson noted

that improper training lead to the behavior that was demonstrated; therefore, there was need for

subjecting the employees into proper training (Tangdall, 2018).

Did Johnson’s apology help Starbucks employees figure out if their personal values align

with the company’s?

Yes, the apology helped Starbucks employees to figure out whether their personal values

aligned with the values of the company. The employees accepted to be re-trained on the “real”

values of the company. Also, they were able to serve the customers equally.

5.Designing Ethical Systems:  Did Johnson’s actions have impact beyond Starbucks?  Did they

sent a precedent for other companies to follow? Did his apology create a conversation about

unconscious bias in the workplace? How do his apology and the subsequent follow-up actions

compare to other companies and CEOs that have faced similar problems?

Did Johnson’s actions have impact beyond Starbucks?

I think his actions have impacts beyond the Starbucks. First, his apology is meant to serve

as an example to other organizations whose employees engage in unwanted behaviors. Leaders

should learn to take responsibilities when their members have committed a crime. Again,

organizations should learn to initiate mechanisms for bettering the current situations. For

instance, it is good to subject employees to extensive training if the current level of training is

not enough.

Did they sent a precedent for other companies to follow?

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I think yes. The published statements and follow-up video can be accessed and used by

other companies.

Did his apology create a conversation about unconscious bias in the workplace?

Yes, his apology created a conversation about the unconscious bias in the workplace.

This is clearly demonstrated by the decision of the company to take up the “unconscious bias

training”

How do his apology and the subsequent follow-up actions compare to other companies and

CEOs that have faced similar problems?

I think the apology was direct. He accepted the responsibility on what happened,

something that is not very common among the most CEO who believe that someone should be

answerable. He did not accept that the act was discriminatory and fully of racism.
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References

Skeet, A. (April 02, 2017). A model for exploring an ethical leadership practice. Available at:

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/leadership-ethics-blog/practice-of-ethical-leadership/

Tangdall, S. (August 29, 2018). The CEO of Starbucks and the Practice of Ethical Leadership.

Available at: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/leadership-ethics/resources/the-ceo-

of-starbucks-and-the-practice-of-ethical-leadership/