Handling Tough Decisions in the Workplace Managers make numerous decisions on a daily basis. For some, the best choice is easy or straightforward to determ
Handling Tough Decisions in the Workplace
Managers make numerous decisions on a daily basis. For some, the best choice is easy or straightforward to determine. If a machine breaks down, you either need to repair it or replace it. In an increasingly interconnected and complex world, however, the best decisions can often be unclear. Consider where you would stand on the following scenario:
A company has developed a new product for which there is a great demand. The consensus of the leadership team is that the company should capitalize on this opportunity and hike up the price to generate a 300% return on each sale. They feel that, as long as the marketplace is willing to pay for it, then there is no problem, especially since this would help solve recent discussions of layoffs due to declining sales. Only one person in the leadership team voices disapproval of this approach, saying that this is a greedy action that would rip off customers and go against the company’s values. The person feels that—despite what it would mean for the business—the product should be priced to generate a 40% return, which is an average return for the company’s products.
In this Discussion, you will examine a tough decision you have had to make in the past. You will reflect on the factors you used to make that decision and determine whether you would make the same choice if faced with the same set of circumstances again.
To prepare for this Discussion:
· Identify a time you had to make a tough decision related to work. This should be a time when the right course of action was not immediately apparent or clear-cut. There may have been differing points of view, each with some validity, or perhaps there were some special circumstances in the situation that made the correct and ethical choice less obvious.
· Consider the values, guidelines, and rules that you used to make that decision.
Post a synthesis of a difficult work-related decision you had to make, including how you might approach the situation in the future. Specifically:
· Describe the circumstances surrounding the difficult work-related decision you had to make. In your description, include details about the options you were weighing, why the decision was difficult, et cetera.
· Explain the guidelines, rules, and values you used to make the decision.
· Using the Learning Resources for support, explain how you would approach the situation if it happened again. Would you handle it differently or take a similar action, and why?
Managing People & Promoting Collab
Week 10 Learning Resources
Being An Ethical Manager
What does it mean to be an ethical manager? What are the steps you can take to ensure you are building an ethical career? Consider these questions as you review these resources, which are provided to help you identify specific ways to ensure you are building a strong ethical foundation for your work and your management career.
· Duke University – The Fuqua School of Business. (2013, May 30). Apple CEO Tim Cook on ethical leadership Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ygNKNaMv4c
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.
· Kouchaki, M., & Smith, I. H. (2020). Building an ethical career . Harvard Business Review, 98(1), 135–139.
· Kuligowski, K. (2020, October 13). How to be an ethical leader: 7 tips for success Links to an external site. . Business News Daily. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5537-how-to-be-ethical-leader.html
· McCombs School of Business. (2018, December 18). Ethics defined: Ethics Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vWXpzlL7Mo
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
· Nei, K., & Nei, D. (2018, September 10). Don’t try to be the “fun boss” — and other lessons in ethical leadership . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Seidman, D. (2017). The four pillars of moral leadershipLinks to an external site. . Fortune, 176(4), 90–92.
Values & Management
What are the key values that guide your actions and decisions as a manager? Why does understanding these core values matter? Using these resources, you will consider the importance for managers of identifying their foundational values and will focus on how you can begin the process of defining yours.
· Fontrodona, J., & Sanz, P. (2015). The keys to a positive business cultureLinks to an external site. . IESE Insight, (27), 15–22. https://dx.doi.org/10.15581/002.ART-2789
· Jeffrey, S. (n.d.). 7 steps to discover your personal core values Links to an external site. . https://scottjeffrey.com/personal-core-values/
OlinBusinessSchool. (2017, September 12). Values-based leadership Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtvQnK9uIdo
· Quinn, R. E., Bright, D. S., & Sturm, R. E. (2021). Understanding self and others Download Understanding self and others . In Becoming a master manager: A competing values approach (7th ed., pp. 29–40). Wiley. Becoming a Master Manager: A Competing Values Approach, 6th Edition by Quinn, R. E.; Faerman, S. R.; Thompson, M. P.; McGrath, M. R.; Bright, D. Copyright 2015 by Wiley. Reprinted by permission of Wiley via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2023.
A Personal Code of Ethics
Once you understand your personal core values, you are ready to create a personal code of ethics (or code of conduct). This code can serve as a touchpoint in difficult situations for what truly matters to you and how you can be true to your best self, even when faced with pressure from others.
· Indeed. (2019, December 12). How to create your code of ethics (with examples)Links to an external site. . https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/create-code-of-ethics
· Lukaszewski, J. (2018). What is your personal code of conduct? Links to an external site. PRsay. https://prsay.prsa.org/2018/03/26/what-is-your-personal-code-of-conduct
Wedell-Wedellsborg, M. (2019, April 12). The psychology behind unethical behavior . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–6. http://hbr.org
A Role as a Change Agent
Managers who understand their values and have defined their ethics are well positioned to be effective agents of positive change in their organizations and beyond. Through these resources, you will delve into the power of self as an agent of change and how small choices on your part can be amplified to influence meaningful change.
· Eyrich, N. W., Quinn, R. E., & Fessell, D. P. (2019, December 27). How one person can change the conscience of an organization . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–5. http://hbr.org
· Jim. (2010, September 2). Self as instrumentLinks to an external site. . The Leadership Mind. http://leadershipdiamond.blogspot.com/2010/09/self-as-instrument.html
· Sivers, D. (2010). How to start a movement Links to an external site. [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement
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