Pages: (15-26 )
Abstract
In a world of unfair competition and the survival of the fittest, ethical leadership, free will, and choice are relegated. What becomes prominent is traditional leadership through manipulation, force, transactions, control, rules, and regulations to be obeyed. The objectives of this study are to examine Joseph's experiences in the Pit, Prison, and Palace through the lens of ethical leadership. To show the strength of the attendant moral values of ethical leadership in the life of Joseph. The Methodology was Qualitative Content Analysis. The design was framed on the biblical narratives of Joseph and the principles of ethical leadership. Consequently, the primary source of textual data was the Bible, while the secondary source was the ethical leadership literature. The textual datasets were coded according to the six thematic steps outlined by Brain and Clarke. Thematic analysis was adopted. It was found that Joseph was betrayed and severely punished in the Pit. But this valley experience was preparatory for his prison episode. Though he was innocent of the charge, he refused to make counteraccusations to prove it. He was ethical and revealed deep spiritual insight. True to type, at the Palace, he was humble and forbearing. He showed forgiveness to his brothers when he could repay them. Joseph's behaviour in the Pit, Prison, and Palace suggests he had ethical depth. In distinguishing between right and wrong, he was not affected by his circumstances in standing for the right. Overall, in life-or death situations, Joseph ethically subordinated his will to God's will. Had he pursued his own schemes, his history would have ended in the pit or in the embrace of Potiphar's wife. This has implications for humanistic and vengeful tendencies.
Keywords: Joseph, Ethical Leadership, Pit, Prison, and Palace,