In some ways, the answer to all of these questions was “yes.” FASPE taught me that commonplace human emotions and ordinary professional pressures can motivate awful actions. Sometimes, that poor decision-making can lead to disastrous consequences for others. Business professionals pursuing their immediate self-interest can participate in acts of great harm to the company, its employees, and the society and environment in which it operates.
Ultimately, I decided to include the sixth case study. In my presentation to senior executives, I relayed this perspective that could undermine my entire set of recommendations. I still lobbied hard, however, for my vision of the future.
In the end, I felt that I had been thoughtful and purposeful in my actions—giving due ethical consideration to a decision point that might have otherwise slipped by unnoticed. In the sometimes-chaotic world of business, with its ever-present demands for making decisions, taking risks, and achieving big goals, professionals should still protect adequate space for reconsideration. Seldom do we confront an abrupt, profound ethical dilemma; instead, we make everyday, small decisions—often without reflection—that can lead us to harmful consequences in excess of original expectations. As business leaders, we must challenge ourselves to keep our minds present and our senses attuned to the world around us so that we can recognize when an impulse, reaction, or decision warrants further reflection—and, sometimes, correction. In this way, we can help prevent small decisions from accumulating into invisible ethical dilemmas, ones we miss or don’t understand until it’s too late.
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Austin McKinney was a 2019 FASPE Business Fellow. He is a diplomat with the United States Department of State, currently serving in Canada. His previous tours include Pakistan, Mexico, and Colombia.
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