FINAL WORD
ASK YOURSELF WHETHER A DECISION YOU ’ RE PONDERING WILL USE THE PERSON OR GROUP AFFECTED AS A MERE MEANS TO SOME END ?
Thankfully business leaders don ’ t ( usually ) have to make such life or death decisions , but the general principles can be applied to everyday situations . Ask yourself whether a decision you ’ re pondering will use the person or group affected as a mere means to some end ? If so , you should think carefully about whether that decision is right .
Fitting with virtue
Utilitarianism considers our relationship to the world as a whole , and deontology considers our relationship with people or groups . So the third ethical theory that ’ s helpful in guiding business decisions considers the relationship to our own self – Aristotle ’ s theory of virtue .
Aristotle believed that without virtue , it ’ s impossible to lead a good life and achieve happiness and true wellbeing . He noted that many virtues are a middle point between two competing vices – such as courage being the balance between the vice of cowardice ( having too much fear ) and recklessness ( too little fear ) when facing danger . He believed that like muscles , virtues had to be practised , trained and maintained by doing virtuous actions .
You can also apply this theory to organisations . Organisations define their virtues through a statement of values , which demonstrate how they want to operate . These can in turn provide a practical guide to action through a test of fittingness : does this action fit with who I want to be as a leader and with what we want to be as an organisation ?
Just as Aristotle believed virtues had to be practised , as a leader you must actively work to develop and maintain both your personal virtues and those of your company . Who you bring into the organisation , what you reward and the opportunities you create for shared reflection all have an impact on virtue .
While these three theories don ’ t fit perfectly together , they do provide a useful moral framework when considering world , other and self . When faced with a difficult decision ask these three questions : is it good for the world ? Is it right for others ? Is it fitting with the self you aspire to be ? Hopefully they will guide you to make the right choice . x
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