Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
TOPIC: Issues in Ethical Decision Making: Ethical Dilemma

WHAT IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?

Situation in which two or more deeply held values come into conflict. In these situations, the correct ethical choice may be unclear.

What should or ought I do?

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

What is right or wrong, good or bad?

CAUSES OF ETHICAL DILEMMAS

A

Bottom Line Orientation Short Term Traps The Ego Barrier

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

DETERMINING THE RIGHT THING

Basic Approaches Kantian (Deontic) Approach Utilitarian (Consequential) Approach Virtue (Character) Approach Fairness (Justice) Approach Common-Good Approach

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

KANTIAN (DEONTIC OR RIGHTS) APPROACH

Immanuel

Kant Rules or principles determine action. Emphasizes the principle over the result. The action should not be done if everyone should not do it. Can my act become universal law? People have rights: truth, privacy, and protection. People are not a means to an end, but are an end in themselves. Bottom Line: Does the action respect the moral rights of everyone?
Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

UTILITARIAN (CONSEQUENTIAL) APPROACH

John

Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham Emphasizes the results of the action. Ethical actions provide the best balance of good over evil. An act is right if and only if it results in as much good as any available alternative. Bottom Line: The greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

VIRTUE (CHARACTER) APPROACH

Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas Emphasizes character. Character traits or virtues enable us to reach our highest potential. A virtuous person is an ethical person. What kind of person should I be? Bottom Line: People develop virtues through habit.

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FAIRNESS (JUSTICE) APPROACH

Aristotle
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Equals

should be treated equally and unequals should be treated unequally. Favoritism and discrimination are unjust and wrong. Bottom Line: How fair is the action? Does it treat everyone the same way, or does it show favoritism or discrimination?

COMMON-GOOD APPROACH
Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, John Rawls Veil of Ignorance Those that make decisions should be blind to personal gain. We are all members of the same community. Bottom Line: What is good for individuals is based on what is good for the community as a whole.

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ARE THERE UNIVERSAL VALUES?

Justice Mutual

Respect Stewardship Honesty

Interfaith

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

Declaration, British-North American Research Association The Ethical Imperative, Dalla Costa, 1990, p. 132

ARE THERE UNIVERSAL VALUES, CONT.

Human

Dignity Mutual Responsibility Economic Equity Fiscal Fairness Social Justice Environmental Integrity
The

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

Ethical Imperative, Dalla Costa, 1990, p. 132

Ethical Reasoning Process

Step 1: Define the problem. Step 2: Know the relevant rules. Step 3: Develop and evaluate courses of action. Step 4: Choose the course of action that best represents your professional values.
Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEM

Who said it? What was said, ordered, or demanded? Dont accept hearsay. Get the details. Remember that problems can be described in more than one way. The hardest step.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

STEP 2: KNOW THE RULES

Conduct research. A seemingly ethical dilemma may in reality be a misunderstanding of a regulation or policy.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

STEP 3: DEVELOP AND EVALUATE COURSES OF ACTION

Two Parts Develop Courses of Action

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

Brainstorming

Evaluate Courses
Ethical Approaches Army Values

ROTARY CLUBS FOUR WAY TEST

Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

STEP 4: CHOOSE THE COURSE OF ACTION

That best represents ProfessionalValues A values-based organization provides publicized values as a framework for

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

expressing expectations, making decisions, and evaluating systems, processes, decisions, and employee performance

PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Captain

Rockwood Is he using this or any ethical reasoning process? Is there a point at which his thinking becomes flawed? What is the tension for him, or what values are in conflict? What is he focused on, the actions or the end result? What solution would you have come to if faced with Rockwoods experience? How did his use or lack of use of an ethical reasoning process effect his choices?
Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

WHAT IF YOUR BOSS ASKS YOU TO DO SOMETHING UNETHICAL?

Examine

the facts. Turn implied request into ethical response. Never appear to be self-righteous. Expose your personal sensitivity. Remember that ethical people have the power. Be professional and ethical. Be friendly and non-threatening.
Richard Chewning, When Your Boss Asks for Something Unethical. Presbyterian Journal, 24 Dec 86, 14 Jan 87, 4 Feb 87

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THE LEADERS CHALLENGE

To act morally and ethically in all aspects of ones private/personal and public/professional life

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ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
Thoughts to consider in pursuit of being an ethical leader

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ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP

Your ability to lead flows from your individual beliefs, values, and character.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

What is the difference between ethical leadership and unethical leadership?

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Is there a type of leadership that is neither ethical nor unethical?

LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

leading or following, we model ethical behavior in either role. (1) Leaders set standards of ethical behavior. (a) Define and affirm core values. (b) Provide clarity. (c) Act as standard bearers. (2) Followers embrace those standards. (a) Embrace core values. (b) Ask for direction when uncertain. (c) Meet standards.
Either

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FOUR ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS OF ETHICAL LEADERS

Ability to recognize and articulate the ethics of a problem The personal courage no to rationalize away bad ethics An innate respect for others. Personal worth from ethical behavior

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PERSONAL OPERATING PHILOSOPHY

Mission Statement Vision Statement Core Values

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A VISION STATEMENT
Vision Statement: a guiding picture of a desirable, ambitious future. Criteria for a quality vision statement: futuristic, challenging, preserves core ideology, applicable to individual or organization, inspires change, compelling, clear and concise.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

A MISSION STATEMENT
Mission Statement: purpose and reason for existence. Criteria for a quality mission statement: clear and concise, consistent with values, action-oriented, measurable, drives or directs all decisions and actions.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

WHAT ARE VALUES?

Values are the deep seated, pervasive standards that influence every aspect of our lives (our moral judgments, our responses to others, our commitment to personal and organizational goals). Values set the parameters for decision making. Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge, p. 212

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

A HEALTHY ORGANIZATION
Guidelines

are clear. Ethical behavior is rewarded. Levels of competition and stress are low. Expectations and standards are clearly defined. Informal norms are consistent with professional values. All rewards and punishments are fair and equal.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

TEN WAYS TO ENHANCE ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Establish a code of ethics. Require everyone to verify that they have read and understand the code. Integrate ethics into performance evaluations. Recognize and reward ethical behavior. Establish a confidential ethics hotline.

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

TEN WAYS TO ENHANCE ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Incorporate ethics questions into surveys. 7. Show and discuss videos that deal with ethical dilemmas. 8. Launch an ethics column in the newsletter. Use on-line menu-driven answers to 9. questions about ethical problems. Source: Canadian Clearing forums House for Consumer Corporatewith Ethics, www.interactive.york.caloyee 10. The Hold open on and ethics Concerns, Corporate University Review (May/June 1997), 6-9. leaders.
6.
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THREE CONDITIONS OF ETHICAL PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Integrating ethical norms with the pursuit of economic success. 2. An other-directed attitude. 3. A business ethic must be capable of motivating pragmatic and competitive behavior.

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DESCRIBING ETHICAL FAILURES

A. The Acute Dilemma situations where you do not know what is the right or wrong thing to do. B. The Acute Rationalization situations where you do know what is the right thing to do but fail to do it

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

RESOLVING ETHICAL PROBLEMS

The covenantal ethic is theoretically sound But we must have tools for putting it into practice internal and external External methods laws, punishment, rewards Detection alone will not deter unethical behavior

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN GRAPPLING WITH ROADBLOCKS OF THE BOTTOM LINE, CONT.
How will this issue affect the companys reputation? Is this decision consistent with the values we wish to convey by the brand or company name? What language am I using to set targets for other people?

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CONCLUSION
Ethical leaders do the right things for the right reasons all the time, even when no one is watching. (FM 22-100) We need to move beyond refraining to do wrong We need to incorporate a Covenantal Ethic that promotes the well-being of others

Lecture by Prakash Kamtam@BITS-Hyderabad Kamtam@BITS