Leadership Skills

Ethical Decision Making Tools

EEthics govern our behavior and help us know right from wrong or good from bad. Ethics are based on one’s values, beliefs, and principles. While determining right from wrong may see black and white, remember that people have different values and beliefs based on their backgrounds and experiences. When working with a team, you will likely have differing perspectives on what is right and what is wrong.

As a leader, you can inspire your team make ethical decisions. Some tools that may help you include:

Code of ethics. Many organizations have a code of ethics related to their mission, vision, purpose, and goals. The organizational code of ethics guides the culture and determines how the organization should be represented to those outside of the work group.
Code of conduct. A code of conduct outlines expected behaviors for the workplace. A typical code of conduct includes appropriate workplace attire, organizational structure or chain of command, communication expectations, a safe and discrimination free workplace, items prohibited (such as illegal drugs), policy on accepting gifts, company property usage, confidentiality, and reporting procedures.
Policies and procedures. These would outline common work processes such as hiring, job descriptions, performance appraisals, budgeting, donations, charitable contributions, technology, recycling, travel, forms, checklists, etc.
Governmental laws and regulations. In addition, federal, state, and local laws must be considered when dealing with an ethical dilemma.

Spend some time understanding the organization’s existing rules and how they may impact your team’s decisions.

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Every now and then, a situation will occur that does not have a clear resolution. When faced with those situations, here are some things you can do to help identify the proper action:

Clearly identify the problem. This means having at least two perspectives and understanding both of them.
What lead up to the problem? (This may help you identify miscommunications or flawed processes.)
Identify possible solutions and the ramifications of each. For example, does one solution favor one party over another or represent the organization in the way it should be represented?
Ask yourself these questions:
1. How would I feel if this were written in the local paper?
2. How could I explain this to my children or mother?
3. Can I live with this decision?

Leading & Motivating
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Velda Arnaud, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Lead, Educate, Serve Society
leadeducateserve@gmail.com