Ethics Awareness OGE Enogex
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Transcript of Ethics Awareness OGE Enogex
Ethics AwarenessManaging for an Ethical Workplace
OGE EnergySpring 2013
Andrew L. UrichPuterbaugh Professor of Ethics & Legal
StudiesSpears School of BusinessOklahoma State University
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 am 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.
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 went 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
Management cares!!
Why are we here today?
Because our reputation is
worth it!
Please rememberEnron’s real problem!
Why are we here today?
Case Problem 1
The Thrifty V.P.
Case Problem 1
The Thrifty V.P.Just following ordersEthics and young peopleEntrapment
Do Ethics Change With the Times?
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?”
Examining Unethical BehaviorOverview 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)
1. It’s Easier Not To Be Ethical
Easier to do what’s convenient
Easier to conform with the norms
Easier to do what’s profitable
Easier to win if you cheat
It is very difficult to overcome the challenges of human nature.
CRITICAL THINKING
1. 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
Case Problem 2
Just Trying to Help
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.?
3. Attitudes Toward the Company
Do managers practice what they preach?(It’s the perception that counts)
“The fish rots from the head down.”~Sir Andrew
Louis
Employees want to “even things out.”
Authority is OUT—Influence is IN.
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
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Secret to Happiness
Self-delusion
Hypocrisy
Ignorance
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.
4. Self-delusion
Case Problem 3Bedlam Football
Guideline for Ethical Decision Making
1. Is there an applicable law or OGE 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.