Go Ape
ISSUE 1
The choice of right versus wrong can be a relatively simple one to make. In most cases the right choice has positive implications and the wrong choice negative ones. What happens when we are faced with two choices that can be equally right? What do we rely upon to make these decisions that have competing virtues? Right versus right decisions are defining moments in shaping a person’s character. That being said, the lecture, Defining Moments by Badaracco (2002) is appropriately titled. Badaracco goes on to lay out a framework for addressing right versus right dilemmas. This framework by Badaracco addresses the following four questions:
1) Which course of action will do the most good and the least amount of harm?
2) Which alternative best serves others’ rights?
3) What plan can I live with that is consistent with basic values and commitments?
4) Which course of action is feasible in the world as it is?
Given the situation with Alison and AlphaSoft Corporation, I would say that the course of action that will do the most good and the least amount of harm is to let Alison continue with her current position and positively influence her to continue her education and complete her MBA. Alison was hired into a position that did not require an MBA and moved up the ranks with hard work and her leadership has positively and financially benefitted the company. Badaracco (2002) quotes the famous utilitarian John Stuart Mill who once said “The essence of responsible behavior is doing whatever promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people”. The best thing to do to make the greatest number of people happy is to maintain the status quo of sorts and leave everything as it is. It cannot be said that Alison did not earn her position. In regards to Badaracco’s second question we need to focus on rights. Badaracco (2002) talks about the Declaration of Independence and the ideas of human rights and states that we “live in a world where we
The choice of right versus wrong can be a relatively simple one to make. In most cases the right choice has positive implications and the wrong choice negative ones. What happens when we are faced with two choices that can be equally right? What do we rely upon to make these decisions that have competing virtues? Right versus right decisions are defining moments in shaping a person’s character. That being said, the lecture, Defining Moments by Badaracco (2002) is appropriately titled. Badaracco goes on to lay out a framework for addressing right versus right dilemmas. This framework by Badaracco addresses the following four questions:
1) Which course of action will do the most good and the least amount of harm?
2) Which alternative best serves others’ rights?
3) What plan can I live with that is consistent with basic values and commitments?
4) Which course of action is feasible in the world as it is?
Given the situation with Alison and AlphaSoft Corporation, I would say that the course of action that will do the most good and the least amount of harm is to let Alison continue with her current position and positively influence her to continue her education and complete her MBA. Alison was hired into a position that did not require an MBA and moved up the ranks with hard work and her leadership has positively and financially benefitted the company. Badaracco (2002) quotes the famous utilitarian John Stuart Mill who once said “The essence of responsible behavior is doing whatever promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people”. The best thing to do to make the greatest number of people happy is to maintain the status quo of sorts and leave everything as it is. It cannot be said that Alison did not earn her position. In regards to Badaracco’s second question we need to focus on rights. Badaracco (2002) talks about the Declaration of Independence and the ideas of human rights and states that we “live in a world where we