Right Vs. Right Notes
Defining Moments:
When Managers must Choose between Right and Right
by Joseph L. Badaracco, Jr.
CHAPTER 1
Right vs. Right Decisions / Ethics
Do you think you can manage innocently?
Chester Barnard - "It seems to be inevitable, that the struggle to maintain cooperation among men should as surly destroy some men morally as battle destroys them physically"
To Move Beyond "Inspirational Ethics"
1. Examine basics kinds of Right vs. Right problems
2. Understand why Right Vs. Right decisions are difficult (can't put into a box)
CHAPTER 2
I do not give a fig for simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for simplicity on the other side of complexity - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Types of Right Vs. Right Decisions
1. Issue of personal integrity
Who am I? What is my moral center?
EX: Asked to be on group because of race
2. Who are We? What do We stand for? What norms and values guide how we work together and treat each other? How do we define ourselves as a human institution
EX: Single mom not pulling weight at office
3. Responsibility to self and to other groups
EX: Sakiz and RU 486
CHAPTER 6 & 7 - Become Who You Are
NIETCHZIE
Most famous for aphoisms proclaming death of God and original ideas about morality, psychology and power.
One of formitable thinkers of our time
All those who are in the process of becoming must be furious when they perceive some satisfaction in this area, an impertnet ‘resting on ones laurels' or ‘self congradulation'
Both Aristole and Nietzche "defining moment not one event, but part of long chain of decisions, actions, and experiences
Nietzche "Become who you are" !!!! Come out of familiar ways of thinking avoid simplufying comlex, acknowledge that you are who you are and rember to deep defining and redefining personality. (!!!!!!!)
PASCAL
"The heart has reasons reason does not know"
Emotions help make sense of an issue (p. 72) but it's in a different language - not always objective or percise.
Become who you are means learning who you have been!!
EX: Antigone - martyr to her values or victim???
Perople can not pack and unpack personal baggage as easily as the analogy syggests
Nietzchie - Thus Spake Zarthustrab
"This is my way; where is yours?" - thus I answer those who asked me "the way". For the way - that does not exist. (wow!!!)
What way is your way?
N. wants people to escape from values one hasn't embraced for themselves
"People may need to be Untrue to themselve if their selves consist too much of other's values (YES!)
MACHIAVELLI
1496-1527 renaissance in Florence
Successful leaders must se the world as it is
If ethics are not practical it's a greeting card sentiment and can be dangerous
Whatt will work in the world as it is?
Does not endore sleezy-ness / immoral behavior - but sometimes that is the necessary choice
Does not endorese Timidity . Short sideness , easy way out or business as usual.
Are you playing to win?
WILLIAM JAMES
Truth is interperted (ex. Antigonie / creton both thought they're "right")
Successful Victorious ideas work
3 characteristics of True ideas
1 cash value in experiential terms
2. Grafted onto ideas we already have without a problem
3. Not esoteric
Truth is a process (Not "family Friendly" workplace, but you MAKE "Family Friendly" — defining moment is one step in a long process
CHAPTER 8
Ru 486 decision - very complex - looked less than courageous at first - but . . .
MACHIALVELLI - "What is success?"
Virtu - The moral code of public life. Combo of vigor, confidence, imagination, shrewdness and delf discipline
Two Questions from Machiavelli
1. Have I done all I can to secure my position, strength and stability?
2. Have I thought creatively and imaginately?
Managers must be lions or foxes depending on circumstances. (Ch. 18 of The Prince)
There is a time to be bold (lion) and a time to be stealthy and quick. Foxes are masters of nuance and subtlety, comfortable with circuitous paths.
"Sakiz apparently had little interest in being a solitary, glorious, dead lion. He chose, instead, to maneuver behind the scenes, test the strength and commitment of his potential allies, and let the strongest of them . . . take responsibility for the final decision"
Three Things
1. Look at / Judge THE RESULT - don't be confused about success - a strong organization is successful - - not a weak one
2. Watch adversaries, don't overestimate their ethics or underestimate their power
3. Managers can not define their role in society, they must negotiate it
ARISTOTOLE
Moderation, circumspection, restraint
Avoid moral commitments that risk or ruin lives (EX: Antigone and Creon were both passionate and too stubborn to compromise and both ended up dead!)
Aristotles' Question - Have you done all you can to strike a balance morally and practically?
Sakiz carefully avoided extremes and points of no return. He was clear about his personal support for RU 486, but didn't try to lead a public crusade. He did not try to make binding final, ethically sound decisions for many stake holders.
CHAPTER 9 A Space of Quiet
Marcus Aurelius 161-180 A.D.
Stoicism
Journal Meditations "Took stock, not of battles, sieges and fortunes, of which there is little mention, but of himself, his state of mind, his lapses from justice or from speaking the truth or from command of his temper." (Good stuff!!!)
3 Lessons
1. Find moments of serenity
2. Use moments to prepare for everyday life and work
3. The best imagined life - - what is the good life?
Live own life - not replicate someone else.
