1. Ethics Awareness
Andrew L. Urich, J.D.
Puterbaugh Professor of Ethics & Legal Studies
Spears School of Business
Oklahoma State University
aurich@okstate.edu
www.andrewurich.com
2. Ethics Awareness
I am NOT here to moralize.
“Awareness” changes human behavior.
3. Who Am I to Discuss Ethics?
I am a hypocrite.
I play favorites.
I interpret rules to my benefit.
I have been known to ignore rules that get in my way.
I hate to admit I’m wrong even in those rare situations
when it looks like I might be.
I am much more likely to believe things that benefit me.
I like my ideas better just because they’re mine.
When things go wrong, I look for someone to share the
blame.
4. Who Am I to Discuss Ethics?
Sometimes I think it’s fun to say “no” just because I
have the power to do so.
Here is how I make decisions: I decide what I want
the answer to be – and then make up the logical
reasons to support my decision.
I tend to judge myself by my intentions rather than
my actions.
I tend to judge others by their actions rather than
their intentions.
5. Key Points to Remember
Human nature is not naturally ethical.
Ethics is gray – not black and white.
(In other words, you can’t just say you’re an ethical person – and
that’s all there is to it)
It is difficult to be ethical all of the time.
6. Ethical Lapses in the News
Enron inflated earnings by $586 million — investors lost $60
billion
Adelphia founder used corporate assets as collateral for $3.1
billion in personal loans — company bankrupt
WorldCom overstated profits by $7.1 billion — 17,000 workers
laid off
Barings Bank’s Nick Leeson caused his employer's collapse in
1995 after losing US$1.3 billion in unauthorized derivatives
trading.
10. Case problem 1
The Thrifty V.P.
Just following orders
Ethics and young people
Entrapment
Does everyone have their price?
11. Ethics Today
Times are changing in society!
Do ethics change with the times???
12. Discussion Question
What do you use as an ethical
guideline? In other words, how do you
decide what’s ethical?
Should ethical decisions be based on
“gut instinct” or “conscience?”
13. Examining Unethical Behavior
Overview of Topics
1. It’s easier not to be ethical.
2. Beliefs about the ethics of others
3. Attitudes toward the company
4. Self-delusion (Rationalization)
14. It’s Easier Not To Be Ethical
Easier to do what’s convenient
Easier to conform to norms
Easier to do what’s profitable
Easier to win if you cheat
It is very difficult to overcome the challenges
of human nature
15. It’s Easier Not To Be Ethical
But It’s Worth the Trouble
Ethics is the key to leadership
and client confidence.
“A lie can travel halfway around the
world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.”
Mark Twain
17. 2. Beliefs About the Ethics of
Others
Everyone thinks like me.
People follow the leader.
Different ethics for different situations?
Do you use the same standard of ethics in all aspects
of your life? For example, is your standard the same
with your family, at church, at work, with personal
business, etc.?
18. 3. Attitudes Toward the Company
The Need for Ethical Leadership
Trust and respect
Do managers practice what they preach?
(You are the messenger)
Employees want to “even things out.”
Authority is Out—Influence is In
19. Trust other people
David Halper, British Sociologist
34% Americans
29% British
31% Mexicans up from 19% in 1983
60% Dutch
68% Scandinavians
20. Harris Poll on Trust
22% trust media
8% political parties
27% government
12% large corporations
Convicts vs. MBAs
21. Big Idea
Do you trust your boss?
Productivity and ethical behavior
Mercer Management Consulting– 60% of US
workers do not trust their manager to
communicate honestly
Management impacts trust
22. Showing Respect &
Building Trust
You will never prove them wrong
Admit to your mistakes
“My child choked on a chicken bone”
Winston Churchill’s thoughts on the subject
26. Trust is Competence
Warren Buffett, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation
and five minutes to ruin it.”
I’m the manager, I can coast while others do the
work.
Do you have 15 years experience or one year of
experience 15 times?
What do you think of people who cover their
bottoms?
What if we train people and they leave?
27. 4. Self-Delusion
Rationalization: polite term for self-delusion
“The greatest of all faults, I should say, is to
be conscious of none.”
--Thomas Carlyle (1795 – 1881) Scottish writer
30. Guideline for
Ethical Decision Making
1. Is there an applicable law or organizational
policy?
2. Should I ask about this before acting?
3. Have I taken time to think carefully before
acting?
4. Would I disclose my decision to my
supervisor, CEO, mother, etc.?
(What if everyone found out?)
31. Guideline for
Ethical Decision Making
5. Am I avoiding the appearance of
impropriety?
6. Am I defining the problem correctly?
7. Am I rationalizing?
8. Finally, when in doubt, do I know who to
contact?
32. The Secret to Happiness
Self-delusion
Hypocrisy
Ignorance
33. The Secret to Happiness
Ignorance is Bliss
“People who do things badly
are supremely confident in
their abilities — more
confident, in fact, than people
who do things well. Not only
do they reach erroneous
conclusions and make
unfortunate choices, but their
incompetence robs them of
the ability to realize it.”
Dunning, David Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology December 1999.
35. References
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Bazerman, Max H. Smart Money Decisions, Wiley & Sons, 1999.
Blanchard, Kenneth, et.al. The Power of Ethical Management. William Morrow and Company,
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Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Collins, 2007.
Cohen, Randy. The Good, The Bad, & The Difference. Broadway Books, 2002.
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1989.
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Lewicki, Roy J., et. al. Essential of Negotiation, 4th
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