OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the four ethical communities
2. Apply the ethical communities to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

In Module one, I described the struggles that Elon Musk had on the operations of

Tesla. My role in this was an outside journalist who would take key examples of articles

that describe how ex employees from Tesla felt while working for Elon Musk. In the

previous Model, I was able to cite specific articles of Elon Musk’s approach to leadership

and human resources. As a journalist in this case, I have come to the conclusion that Elon

Musk’s approach to leadership is giving autonomy to his employees.

2) Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

As a journalist in this situation, I have researched how Elon Musk acts in

accordance with ethics regarding Tesla. According from Tesla itself, "Tesla is committed

to ensuring all supply chain practices are safe and humane, that workers are treated with

respect and dignity, and that manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible,"

(Whoriskey, 2017). Musk went on to say that “The Tesla work ethic in the U.S., I think,

is substantially greater than any other car company or any large manufacturing company

that I’m aware of” (Ohnsman, 2022). This quote by Elon Musk highlights his compassion

as a leader. He is praising the work ethic of the employees aft Tesla and realizes the

importance of having hard workers. However, even if the ethics of the organization are

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 great at the CEO position, management still may not be good. According to Forbes,

“Tesla is being sued by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing for

alleged racism and harassment toward black employees at the Fremont Plant” (Ohnsman,

2022). This case clearly shows how leadership is multilateral, not unilateral. In this case

Elon Musk has to trust the ethics of the leaders but they have failed. The Perusall

textbook, chapter 17_18 Reading and Conversations, says “leadership does not come

automatically with high position”. This is especially true in this case that occurred at

Tesla. The person was high in position but not a good leader.

3) Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative
course of action regarding your case.

The course of action I would take regarding this case would be to put in training

programs for all people in leadership positions at Tesla. I would make sure that this

training program included what characteristics makes a good leader. I learned from

chapter 17_18 Reading and Conversations that “Modern trait research tells us that

leaders, compared to nonleaders, tend to be smarter, more creative, more extraverted and

agreeable, and better at thinking outside the box.” With this in mind, this package would

make sure to choose people who show these similar qualities.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about ethics.

After learning about ethics and organizational culture, I have realized that

research is key. Understanding the different type of leadership and ethics styles are of

utmost importance for a successful organization. What I would do differently is identify

leadership styles among the employees. The leadership styles I would choose are

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 charistmatic, team oriented, participative, humane, autonomous, and protective. People

with these leadership styles will be chosen to have the opportunity to lead others.

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 References

Whoriskey, P. (2017) Is a Tesla really ethical? company won’t say how its batteries aren’t
tainted, Australian Financial Review. Available at: https://www.afr.com/technology/is-a-
tesla-really-ethical-company-wont-say-how-its-batteries-arent-tainted-20170102-gtkjex
(Accessed: 18 February 2024).

Ohnsman, A. (2022) Elon Musk has lots to say about workers at Tesla–which continues to lead
U.S. carmakers in safety violations, Forbes. Available at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2022/06/06/elon-musk-has-lots-to-say-about-
workers-at-teslawhich-continues-to-lead-us-carmakers-in-safety-violations/?
sh=36475413507a (Accessed: 18 February 2024).