DILEMMAS IN ETHICAL

DECISION MAKING
By G.Rajeev

ETHICS
Character doesnt stay at home

when we go to work
A code of moral standards of conduct for what is good and right as opposed to what is bad or wrong.

TO UNDERSTAND BETTER
Ethics is the study of morality Ethical Behavior That which is right or good in the context of governing moral code. Ethical behavior is value driven Some questions Am I violating the rights of others? Am I being honest with others and with myself?

ETHICAL DILEMMA
A situation that, although offering potential benefits, is unethical.
One of the most common ethical dilemmas occurs when a companys culture conflicts with an employees personal ethics

MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST
Step 1. Recognize the ethical dilemma. Step 2. Get the facts. Step 3. Identify your options.

Step 4. Test each option: Is it legal? Is it right? Is it beneficial? Step 5. Decide which option to follow. Step 6. Ask the Spotlight Questions: To double check your decision. How would I feel if my family found out about my decision? How would I feel if the local newspaper printed my decision? Step 7. Take action.

A CASE STUDY

Author: Laxmi Devi Publication: The Economic Times Date: November 14, 2005 URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1294033

THE ONGOING MAHABHARATH

Infosys chairman, Narayana Murthy, is in his own Kurukshetra, facing attack from former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, on the Bangalore infrastructure issue. Should he keep silent or fight back? Just like Arjuna, Murthy is fighting the battle with his conscience. The supreme management guru Krishna comes and gives a management insight to Murthy. He says:

"If you refuse to fight this righteous war then, shirking your duty and losing your reputation, you will incur sin. Nay, people will also pour undying infamy on you; infamy brought on a man enjoying popular esteem is worse than death."

THE CORPORATE BATTLEFIELD

markets shares, customer satisfaction, share value, innovation and quality products. Companies consist of people with varying interests, backgrounds and expectations.

The corporate CEO is only interested in quarterly performance and share value. Ethical question - Should he transgress the laws of the land as well as corporate ethics in the pursuit of profit in a highly competitive world?

THE EPICAL MODELS OF CEOS

Bhishma :upright manager caught in irreconciliable conflicts Dhritarashtra
:an example of warped decisions caused by extreme attachment

Yudhisthira Krishna

:example of managerial wisdom

compelled to deviate from his principled stand on practical considerations.

:perfect example of a leader-manager who kept his eye on the ball till the desired outcome was achieved kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. :example of a dare-devil leader without a business-plan of escape

Draupadi :classical model of a woman powerhouse who Abhimanyu

"Today there is intense competition within as well as between organisations. One lesson we learn from Mahabharata is that an all-out zero-sum battle ends with the destruction of all. The victors of the Mahabharata battle suffered equally as the losers, and what they got was a desolate land and a ravaged country."

ETHICAL CODE OF CONDUCT -1

INTEGRITY HONESTY DIGNITY RESPECT
THE FOLLOWING VALUES ARE IMPLEMENTED BY TREATING EACH OTHER,CLIENTS IN THE BUSINESS BY TREATING THE ORGANISATION IN A WAY THAT ENCOMPASSES

THE VALUES
ENSURING THAT ALL CLIENTS AND INDVIDUALS ARE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY BY THE ORGANISATION

ETHICAL DILEMMA-1
You notice your colleague has taken a dislike to one of the clients. They treat this client differently from others, often being abrupt, at times quite hostile and generally unhelpful. It has reached the stage where you feel uncomfortable to be around them at the same time. However, you have a good personal relationship with your colleague and do not want to jeopardise it.

ETHICAL CODE OF CONDUCT-2

JUSTICE EQUITY FAIRNESS EMPATHY
TREATING EACH OTHER AND ALL CLIENTS WITH SAME VALUES

DEMONSTRATING EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE THAT EMBRACES THE

MENTIONED VALUES

ENSURING THAT THE SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS ARE

ALSO BEING TREATED WITH THE SAME VALUES

ETHICAL DILEMMA -2

A new person has just started working . You soon discover that they have a lot to contribute to the organisation. However, it becomes apparent that the proper HR procedures were not followed and the job was not advertised. This has caused some ill-feeling amongst colleagues in your work area. In addition you then find out that the new person is a relative of another staff member.

BEING ETHICAL
Do no harm Avoid inflicting physical, mental, or emotional harm Benefit others Offer assistance and improve the lives of others, even if it may inconvenience you Be just Treat everyone equally or Follow the Golden Rule Be faithful Keep promises, tell the truth, be loyal, and maintain respect and civility Respect autonomy Everyone has the right to decide how they live their lives, as long as they do not interfere with the welfare of others

TO CONCLUDE
It's not easy to lead a corporate Mahabharata but at the same time it's not difficult also. Look at Ratan Tata, Naryana Murthy, Azim Premji and the likes - all are great leaders who have strong belief and conviction."

Quoting from Bhagavad Gita

Karmanyeva adhikaraste maphaleshu kadachana makarma phala heturbhu mate sangotswa karmani

When we are dealing with management and human action we cannot take absolute positions on passions like greed and intolerance

In order to have a positive impact on ethical conduct throughout an organization, those at the top must walk the talk.

THANK YOU
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