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Business Ethics - Why do some people make unethical choices?
Home » Leadership » Introduction to Business Ethics » Business Ethics - Why do some people make unethical choices?
Bad choices surround us. On a small scale, you probably know of a co-worker who lies about her accomplishments or time spent on projects just to look better in the eyes of the boss. Or your boss may fudge his budget numbers to justify getting more money for departmental raises. The end result is good—a better job or more money—but the means of getting there are dishonest. And that’s the way “ethics” often work in this marketplace.
John Maxwell says that he believes people make unethical choices for one of three reasons, including:
• We do what’s most convenient. For example, when a sales clerk gives you back too much change, isn’t it easier to just keep the change instead of doing the right thing and alerting the clerk to the mistake? And if telling a lie can cover a mistake at work, without anyone ever being the wiser, why go the hard route?
• We do what we must to win. Maxwell says, “Many people believe that embracing ethics would limit their options, the opportunities, their very ability to succeed in business.” If being unethical means getting ahead, then many people are OK with being unethical.
• We rationalize our choices with relativism. Situational ethics, meaning deciding what’s right in the moment according to the circumstances, is common. People base their choices on their own standards, which change from situation to situation.
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