Case Study: Follow Dubious Orders or Speak Up

Individuals in Susan’s position are faced with two unpleasant, risky options when asked to perform an ethically dubious task. As her father and former manager highlighted, speaking up to push back against Zantech’s request could lead to her potentially gaining a reputation as being challenging to work with, cause her to lose her current position, and even lead to a negative perception from future employers. On the other hand, accepting the task means compromising one’s one personal code of ethics as well as being part of a legally or morally objectionable activity that might tarnish her reputation as a viable employee or business partner in the future. While those she has consulted have seemed to place her ethical views and career at odds with one another, they did not consider the negative impact that accepting the task might have on her career as well. The expert response from Josh Bersin goes further to highlight that Susan misrepresenting herself also poses a risk to Zantech, one that could be highlighted to Mr. Moon and hopefully encourage him to reconsider the company’s approach.

Following the three-step plan, Susan seems to have already recognized how difficult speaking up is through her conversations with her father and former manager. However, she has yet to consider that it could be worthwhile for her to do so as well. Then, to lessen the social threat, she can use the status component of social motivation to her advantage, communicating with Mr. Moon about her hesitation toward his approach while focusing on the impact of misrepresentation rather than the ethics or intention of Mr. Moon or Zantech. Finally, she must make a plan about how the conversation might play out with Mr. Moon and what ethical quandaries may arise from alternatives he suggests or in similar situations at future companies.

Avatar

About the author