ETHICAL COMPETENCE OF A MANAGER AS A CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TOOL: ONTOPYSHOLOGICAL AND COMMUNICATIVE APPROACHES

Abstract

This article investigates the ethical competence of managers as a key instrument for conflict management and the regulation of professional behavior within enterprises, emphasizing the integration of ontopsychological and communicative approaches. Ethical leadership is highlighted as a vital factor in shaping organizational culture, minimizing workplace conflicts, and ensuring sustainable employee engagement. The ontopsychological approach offers insights into the leader’s internal integrity, emotional maturity, and awareness, enabling deeper understanding of the psychological roots of conflict, while the communicative approach focuses on the ability to foster constructive dialogue, build trust, and maintain open communication channels across the organization. The study explores formal and informal components of ethical infrastructure (including codes of ethics, ethical training systems, feedback mechanisms, and informal behavioral norms) and how these elements contribute to the establishment of an ethical and psychologically safe workplace environment. It is argued that a leader’s personal example, moral consistency, and empathy significantly influence employees’ behavior and create a culture of responsibility, respect, and cooperation. The research identifies key challenges in the modern macroeconomic environment that complicate ethical behavior management, such as instability, digital transformation, and changing values. In response, the article proposes a comprehensive organizational and economic toolkit that supports the implementation of ethical standards and enhances leadership effectiveness. This toolkit enables managers to regulate professional behavior proactively, reduce conflict intensity, and align employee actions with corporate values. The article concludes that ethical competence is not only a personal trait but also a strategic managerial capability that enhances the efficiency of human resource management, strengthens internal organizational coherence, and contributes to achieving long-term organizational success in today’s complex business environment.