When there is no clear right or wrong, making decision is difficult. "Ethical Decision Making and the Entrepreneur - addresses the complex and thorny issues of ethics and integrity for the entrepreneur, and how those decisions and choices can have a significant impact on future success (Spinelli, Jr. & Adams).” This is where ethics comes into play. Ethical decision making thus is the process of taking the moral high road which is based on the truth. "Truth can be a subjective character: one man’s truth may be different from another’s but vital to both. Start with the truth (Fisher, 2005).”
Ethical decision making is a daunting task when you have been in an organization for a long time and the relationship that have developed with the staffs are more family oriented rather than just colleagues. Recently I had to report a misconduct by a superior staff who used to spend on beverages at the office sites with partner staffs and share the cost as office expense. Being brought up in a moral way, these acts, though trifle in nature, still did not register well with me as there had been announcement on behalf of such activities even by the executive director.
The practice has been going on for so long that it is accepted by many and turn the other side. I raised this topic to the executives a while back and warning were issued to the supervisors. It was something that I just couldn’t come to terms with.
The incident has changed the relation between me and the superior but I have a clear conscience. It has also put other staffs at an alert and has helped them also to be vocal about such activities.
What I learned
It is a scary and difficult thing to stand up to what is wrong when you are facing ethical decision which usually involved people who are in superior position. It is however in the best interest of the organization and yourself as an individual to grow. Setting such principles keeps you focused and helps you face similar situation in the future as well. Taking such decisions also unconsciously give power to other people to do the same.
When there is no clear right or wrong, making decision is difficult. "Ethical Decision Making and the Entrepreneur - addresses the complex and thorny issues of ethics and integrity for the entrepreneur, and how those decisions and choices can have a significant impact on future success (Spinelli, Jr. & Adams).” This is where ethics comes into play. Ethical decision making thus is the process of taking the moral high road which is based on the truth. "Truth can be a subjective character: one man’s truth may be different from another’s but vital to both. Start with the truth (Fisher, 2005).”
Ethical decision making is a daunting task when you have been in an organization for a long time and the relationship that have developed with the staffs are more family oriented rather than just colleagues. Recently I had to report a misconduct by a superior staff who used to spend on beverages at the office sites with partner staffs and share the cost as office expense. Being brought up in a moral way, these acts, though trifle in nature, still did not register well with me as there had been announcement on behalf of such activities even by the executive director.
The practice has been going on for so long that it is accepted by many and turn the other side. I raised this topic to the executives a while back and warning were issued to the supervisors. It was something that I just couldn’t come to terms with.
The incident has changed the relation between me and the superior but I have a clear conscience. It has also put other staffs at an alert and has helped them also to be vocal about such activities.
What I learned
It is a scary and difficult thing to stand up to what is wrong when you are facing ethical decision which usually involved people who are in superior position. It is however in the best interest of the organization and yourself as an individual to grow. Setting such principles keeps you focused and helps you face similar situation in the future as well. Taking such decisions also unconsciously give power to other people to do the same.
References
Fisher, K. (2005). Ethical decision making. Retrieved from NACADA: Clearinghouse logo: nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearingh...
Spinelli, Jr., S., & Adams, R. (n.d.). New Venture Creation . New York City: McGraw-Hill Irwin.