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July/August 2006 — Vol. 84, No. 6

Thinking it through:

How to address ethical dilemmas

By Debra Susca

Freelance writer in Portland, Conn.

Michael Rion, Ph.D., principal and founder of Resources for Ethics and Management, has written a book, The Responsible Manager: Practical Strategies for Ethical Decision Making, that introduces a practical decision-making framework for resolving ethical dilemmas. Part of that process involves asking yourself the following six questions to help you think through the situation and clarify your position.

  1. Why is this bothering me? Determine what the issue is.
  2. Who else matters? Consider the stakeholders now and down the road.
  3. Is it my responsibility? Figure out what your role is and the limits of your responsibility.
  4. What is the ethical concern? For example, is it fairness? Promise keeping?
  5. What do others think? Seek others’ opinions. Ask for help. Learn from, and respect, disagreement.
  6. Am I being true to myself? This relates to the personal-character aspect of the decision. Does it jibe with your values and character?

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