Ethics WSLCA 1.16.13 OKC

Ethics Awareness

Andrew L. Urich, J.D.Puterbaugh Professor of Ethics & Legal

StudiesSpears School of BusinessOklahoma State University

aurich@okstate.eduwww.andrewurich.com

Ethics Awareness I am NOT here to moralize.

“Awareness” changes human behavior.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Tyco PartyTyco CEO looted company of $600 million

Because your reputation is

worth it! Please remember

Enron’s real problem!

Why am I here today?

Do Ethics Change With the Times?The Thrifty V.P.

Just following ordersEthics and young peopleEntrapment

Does everyone have their price?

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

It’s Easier Not To Be EthicalBut It’s Worth the Trouble

Ethics is the key to leadership and influence.

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”

Mark Twain

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

The Secret to Happiness

Self-delusion

Hypocrisy

Ignorance

The Secret to HappinessIgnorance 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.

Thank You!

Facebook.com/ProfessorUrich

aurich@okstate.edu

www.andrewurich.com

Case Problem Bedlam Football

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?)

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?

References Ailes, Roger. You Are the Message. New York. Doubleday, 1988. Bazerman, Max H. Smart Money Decisions, Wiley & Sons, 1999. Blanchard, Kenneth, et.al. The Power of Ethical Management. William Morrow and

Company, Inc., 1988. Buckingham, Marcus, et.al. First, Break All The Rules. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999. Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Collins, 2007. Cohen, Randy. The Good, The Bad, & The Difference. Broadway Books, 2002. Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster,

1989. Covey, Stephen C.R. The Speed of Trust, New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006. Fisher, Roger and William Ury. Getting to Yes. New York: Viking Penguin, Inc., 1981. Koch, Charles G., The Science of Success, Wiley & Sons, 2007. Lakoff, George. Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think. The University of

Chicago Press, 2002. Lattal, Alice Darnell, et. al. Ethics at Work. Performance Management Publications,

2005. Lewicki, Roy J., et. al. Negotiation. 2nd Edition., Irwin, 1994. Lewicki, Roy J., et. al. Essential of Negotiation, 4th Ed. McGraw Hill, 2007. Maxwell, John C. There’s No Such Thing as “Business” Ethics. Warner Business Books,

2003. Nelsen, Jane, et. al. Positive Discipline, Three Rivers Press, 1998. Paul, Richard. Critical Thinking. Santa Rosa, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 1993.