Ethics, “ripples” and price to pay!

Over the years as an ethics expert and speaker, I have tried to find an analogy that would help my clients understand the importance of discernment before making those tough decisions. It was while watching some kids throw rocks in a pond that I finally came to this realization and example.
Decision making is like throwing a rock in a pond. No matter how big or small the rock is, water is displaced. Likewise, no matter how “big” or “small” the decision is, people are affected. The key question here is when the time to think about those “ripples”? After you’ve thrown the rock or while it is still in your hands?
Haven’t we all been in the position where a decision needed to be made and we thought about it and thought that we had ”all our bases covered” and after making the decision there were “ripples” i.e. consequences that appeared that we didn’t event think of but now we’re held accountable ?
Another reality is if the rock is big enough and you throw it, it may splash up, back on you. Hasn’t this been the story of numerous companies? Companies ,i.e. executives, in many different industries, made decisions that have adversely affected us all in some way?
There are a few lessons here.
1. When a decision needs to be made, hold the rock, hold, hold, hold, until you are certain that; a. you know what the obvious ripples are; b. you can and will deal with any unforeseen ripples that occur based on your analysis.
2. Don’t let emotions dictate when to throw the rock. Get communal wisdom from trusted colleagues, etc., that are “for you” and get their wisdom. Reason must always control emotions in ethical decision making.
3. Sometimes you just need to put the rock down and gather more information, etc., before picking it up again for a toss. The danger here is that you think too long on it or it stays in committee too long for the decision to be really as effective as it might have been.
4. The bigger the rock, i.e. decision, the bigger the ripples, i.e. consequences. Go slow choose well! Ask yourself, what does my gut, i.e. conscience, intuition, etc., tell me about this? Then do it.
5. It is important to know BEFORE a decision is made, what one’s values are so as to minimize any regret after a decision after it is made or ”the rock is thrown.”
Will these points save you from making tough decisions? No, but they will decrease the odds of making a seriously flawed or outright wrong decision. It’s all about odds. So what are you doing so that the odds are in your favor?

fbucaro

Like you, business ethics and ethical leadership expert, Frank Bucaro has seen the challenges and problems of corporate leadership, particularly over the past few years in regards to poor decision-making, SEC violations, and record breaking financial settlements in a number of different industries. With over two decades of executive training, speaking, writing and with real life experiences, his view and approach to ethics in the workplace is uniquely different. He emphasizes that ethics is a moment-to-moment choice and has little to do with position, titles, personalities or education. Ethics is everybody’s responsibility from the top down. His goal is to help organizations to: a. Strengthen their ethics training initiatives in order to significantly decrease the odds of an ethical/compliance violation. b. Energize, train and motivate employees to understand the value of consistent “high road” behavior as a business advantage. c. Support individuals and thereby the organization by contributing to its success by quality, ongoing values based leadership development. Frank is known for his very practical, slightly irreverent, yet somewhat humorous approach to ethics and leadership development. His conversational style and real life stories connect with his audience in a personal, intense and practical level. Companies such as Bayer Healthcare, BP, ReMax International, EnMax Energy, Danone, etc. have partnered with Frank when they want to proactively stress the message, tools, insights and practical applications that good ethics IS good for business!