,WGU C206 - Ethical Leadership Objective Assessment (OA) | Questions and
Answers | 2026/27 Updates
1. Which of the following best defines ethics as it is studied in the WGU C206 course?
A) The legal requirements that govern business operations
B) The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or group
C) The financial policies that ensure corporate profitability
D) The strategic goals set by an organization's board of directors
Correct Answer: The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or
group
Rationale: Ethics is fundamentally about the principles, norms, and standards of conduct that
guide behavior . This definition focuses on conduct itself, distinguishing ethics from law, finance,
or strategy. The C206 course examines how these principles apply to leadership and
organizational decision-making.
2. What is the first step in the ethical decision-making process as outlined in C206 materials?
A) Ethical behavior
B) Ethical judgment
C) Ethical awareness
D) Ethical evaluation
Correct Answer: Ethical awareness
Rationale: The ethical decision-making process begins with ethical awareness, which is when a
person recognizes that a situation raises ethical concerns and must be thought about in ethical
,terms . This awareness must occur before judgment or action can take place, making it the
foundational step.
3. According to the course of study for C206, which competency involves assessing the practical
relevance of leading ethical theories and concepts?
A) Competency 3008.1.1: Practical Relevance of Ethical Theories
B) Competency 3008.1.2: Ethical Leadership and Code of Ethics
C) Competency 3008.1.3: Policy and Program Development
D) Competency 3008.1.5: Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Correct Answer: Competency 3008.1.1: Practical Relevance of Ethical Theories
Rationale: The C206 course is built on four competencies . Competency 3008.1.1 is explicitly
defined as assessing the practical relevance of leading ethical theories and concepts . This forms
the theoretical foundation for the entire course.
4. Which ethical theory judges an action as right or wrong based on its consequences, with
utilitarianism being the best-known example?
A) Deontological theory
B) Virtue ethics
C) Consequentialist theory
D) Normative ethics
Correct Answer: Consequentialist theory
Rationale: Consequentialist theory is a type of normative ethics that evaluates actions by their
outcomes . Utilitarianism, the principle of maximizing benefits to society while minimizing
, harms, is the most recognized consequentialist approach . This theory contrasts with
deontology, which focuses on rules and duties.
5. A manager follows universal principles such as honesty, fairness, and respect for human
beings regardless of outcomes. Which ethical theory is being applied?
A) Consequentialist theory
B) Deontological theory
C) Virtue ethics
D) Utilitarianism
Correct Answer: Deontological theory
Rationale: Deontological theory bases decisions about what is right on broad, abstract universal
ethical principles like honesty, promise-keeping, fairness, loyalty, and respect for human beings .
Unlike consequentialism, deontology focuses on duties and obligations rather than outcomes .
6. Which ethical theory focuses more on the integrity of the moral actor than on the moral act
itself?
A) Consequentialist theory
B) Deontological theory
C) Virtue ethics
D) Utilitarianism
Correct Answer: Virtue ethics
Rationale: Virtue ethics shifts the focus from the act itself to the character, motivations, and
intentions of the moral actor . It considers character as defined by one's community and relies
Answers | 2026/27 Updates
1. Which of the following best defines ethics as it is studied in the WGU C206 course?
A) The legal requirements that govern business operations
B) The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or group
C) The financial policies that ensure corporate profitability
D) The strategic goals set by an organization's board of directors
Correct Answer: The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or
group
Rationale: Ethics is fundamentally about the principles, norms, and standards of conduct that
guide behavior . This definition focuses on conduct itself, distinguishing ethics from law, finance,
or strategy. The C206 course examines how these principles apply to leadership and
organizational decision-making.
2. What is the first step in the ethical decision-making process as outlined in C206 materials?
A) Ethical behavior
B) Ethical judgment
C) Ethical awareness
D) Ethical evaluation
Correct Answer: Ethical awareness
Rationale: The ethical decision-making process begins with ethical awareness, which is when a
person recognizes that a situation raises ethical concerns and must be thought about in ethical
,terms . This awareness must occur before judgment or action can take place, making it the
foundational step.
3. According to the course of study for C206, which competency involves assessing the practical
relevance of leading ethical theories and concepts?
A) Competency 3008.1.1: Practical Relevance of Ethical Theories
B) Competency 3008.1.2: Ethical Leadership and Code of Ethics
C) Competency 3008.1.3: Policy and Program Development
D) Competency 3008.1.5: Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Correct Answer: Competency 3008.1.1: Practical Relevance of Ethical Theories
Rationale: The C206 course is built on four competencies . Competency 3008.1.1 is explicitly
defined as assessing the practical relevance of leading ethical theories and concepts . This forms
the theoretical foundation for the entire course.
4. Which ethical theory judges an action as right or wrong based on its consequences, with
utilitarianism being the best-known example?
A) Deontological theory
B) Virtue ethics
C) Consequentialist theory
D) Normative ethics
Correct Answer: Consequentialist theory
Rationale: Consequentialist theory is a type of normative ethics that evaluates actions by their
outcomes . Utilitarianism, the principle of maximizing benefits to society while minimizing
, harms, is the most recognized consequentialist approach . This theory contrasts with
deontology, which focuses on rules and duties.
5. A manager follows universal principles such as honesty, fairness, and respect for human
beings regardless of outcomes. Which ethical theory is being applied?
A) Consequentialist theory
B) Deontological theory
C) Virtue ethics
D) Utilitarianism
Correct Answer: Deontological theory
Rationale: Deontological theory bases decisions about what is right on broad, abstract universal
ethical principles like honesty, promise-keeping, fairness, loyalty, and respect for human beings .
Unlike consequentialism, deontology focuses on duties and obligations rather than outcomes .
6. Which ethical theory focuses more on the integrity of the moral actor than on the moral act
itself?
A) Consequentialist theory
B) Deontological theory
C) Virtue ethics
D) Utilitarianism
Correct Answer: Virtue ethics
Rationale: Virtue ethics shifts the focus from the act itself to the character, motivations, and
intentions of the moral actor . It considers character as defined by one's community and relies
