Ethical Decision Making:
Earning Public Trust
Sally Rhys, MS, SPHR, CCEPInternational Public Management Association: Human ResourcesWestern Region ConferenceApril 28, 2011
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Diego’s Dilemma
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Ethical Dilemma
Right vs Right
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
The Four Dilemmas
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#1
Truth Loyaltyvs
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#2
Short Term
Long Term
vs
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#3
Individual Communityvs
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#4
Justice Mercyvs
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
The Four Dilemmas
Truth versus Loyalty
Short Term versus Long Term
Individual versus Community
Justice versus Mercy From How Good People Make Tough Choices by Rushworth Kidder
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Three Moral Frameworks
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Ends Based Thinking
“The greatest good for the greatest number.”
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Rule Based Thinking
A suitable rule for everyone else to follow in similar situations.
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Care Based Thinking
The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
The Three Moral Frameworks
Ends Based
Rule Based
Care Based
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Decision Making Models
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#1: Santa Clara University
1. Recognize the situation as an ethical issue
2. Get the facts
3. Evaluate alternative actions
4. Make a decision and test it
5. Act and reflect on the outcomes
From Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#2: The Four ImperativesLegal: Societies’ Agreements
Pragmatic: Good for Business
Perceptual: Need for Support
Personal:Individual Value
From Moral Leadership in Business by LaRue T. Hosmer and Navran Associates
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Four Imperatives cont’d
Legal Imperative: Is this action according to laws? Is it in accordance with commonly accepted rights
of others? Pragmatic Imperative:
Is this action likely to make good business sense? Is this action going to support more efficient
production?From Moral Leadership in Business by LaRue T. Hosmer and Navran Associates
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Four Imperatives cont’d
Perceptual Imperative: Would I be proud to see this reported on national
TV? Will this action build a sense of community?
Personal Imperative: Is this congruent with my values? Would I condone this activity in others?
From Moral Leadership in Business by LaRue T. Hosmer and Navran Associates
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
!!! Fatal Flaw!!!
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
#3: Person-Situation Interactionist
Stage of Cognitive
Development
Individual Moderators
SituationalModerators
Ability toApplyPreviousModels
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Stages of Cognitive Development
1&2: Concerned with concrete consequences
3&4: Concerned with what is “right”
5&6: Right is determined by universal values or principles
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Personality: Individual Differences
Sense of Self Self management, e.g. resist impulses, follow own
convictions
The Situation Follow the crowd: Degree of dependence on context vs
internal moral compass to guide actions
Self determining Master of own fate: Degree of belief that outcomes are due
to self rather than fate/luck/destiny
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Situational Variables
Job Context Good behaviors noticed? Bad behaviors punished? Pressure due to time, budget, resources?
Organizational Culture Norms Role models Obedience to authority Responsibility for consequences
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Oregon State Guidelines
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Washington State Guidelines
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
California State Guidelines
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
IMPA-HR: Principles and Values Statement
…highest standards of professional competence and personal conduct
…respect the dignity of all individuals …uphold all federal, state, and local laws..to
instill in the public a sense of confidence and trust about the conduct of my employer
..avoid a conflict of interest …not compromise, for personal gain.., my
integrity
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Case Study
Find a case study at your table Find a decision making model at your table Apply assigned model to case study:
debate to force higher contributions Think about process, not so much outcome
Santa Clara Four Imperatives
Prepare to share key insights about the model
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Report out
What did you learn by using the model?
What is the impact on different stakeholders?
Could you personally live with the decision?
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
In the moment…
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Publicity TestWould I want this on the front page of a major newspaper?
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Fairness Test
Would I treat my best friend this way?
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Universality Test
Would I recommend others go in the same direction?
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
What would you do if you were Diego?
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Ethical Leadership
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Resources How Good People Make Tough Choices, Rushworth
Kidder Moral Leadership in Business, LaRue T. Hosmer www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision Ethical Decision Making in Organizations: A Person-
Situation Interactionist Model, Linda K. Trevino, Academy of Management Review, 1986
Defining Moments, Joseph L. Badaracco, Jr Me!
Sally Rhys, Focus on Business Ethics, 4/28/2011
Thank you!
Sally Rhys, MS, CCEP, SPHR
www.FocusonBusinessEthics.com
971-678-0489
Have ethics. Will travel.