Decision-Making Model Analysis

Decision-Making Model Analysis

Considering many factors, I decided that the Ethical Decision-Making Model was the best choice for me when it came to job-related decision-making. I feel that by using the Ethical Decision-Making Model I was able to maximize my opportunity for a successful outcome.

Background on Ethical Decision-Making Model

Through the Josephson Institute of Ethics, I have summarized the background on the Ethical Decision-Making Model I chose to make my job-related decision. I will also show through two sources that are very similar the steps involved in making ethical decisions. Josephson Institute (2006) has a seven-step path to better decisions. In describing each of the steps Josephson Institute of Ethics (2006) states, “the first one is to stop and think before reacting out with a decision. The second one is to clarify your goals, to clarify what you want and what you do not want as an outcome for the decision. The third thing is to determine the facts of the problems at hand making sure you have all the information there to determine all the facts. The fourth one is to develop options, a set of options you want to achieve your goals. The fifth one is to consider the consequences and there are two techniques in doing this. When choosing your options, having more than one option is always best so you can have a back-up plan if needed.

Josephson Institute (2006) states,

“Pillar-ize your options and filter your choices through each of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Will the action violate any of the core ethical principles? For instance, does it involves lying or breaking a promise; is it disrespectful to anyone; is it irresponsible, unfair, or uncaring; does it involve breaking laws or rules? Eliminate unethical options.

Identify the stakeholders and how the decision is likely to affect them. Consider your choices from the point of view of the major stakeholders. Identify whom the decision will help and hurt.”

Josephson Institute of Ethics (2006) states, the sixth step in the seven-step path to better decisions are to choose and make your decision. Some of the things to keep in mind are talking to people whose judgment you trust, what would the most ethical person you know do, think what would you do if you were sure everyone would know, and of course think of do unto to others as you would have them do unto you. The last thing to do is to monitor your decision since we are only human and most hard decisions use imperfect information and "best effort" predictions, some of them will inevitably be wrong.

The second source I found was also originally from the Josephson Institute of Ethics through Marshall J. & ProEthics, Ltd (2004) entitled, “An Ethical Decision-Making Model” The five steps in this Ethical Decision-Making Model are very similar to the seven steps in the first source I discovered. Josephson Institute of Ethics states, “These steps are to clarify, evaluate, decide, implement, monitor, and modify.” First, you want to clarify and determine precisely what must be decided. Then you need to evaluate if any of the options requires the sacrifice of any ethical principle, evaluate the facts and assumptions carefully. You then will decide and make your decision carefully. Then you would implement a plan to the decision maximizing the benefits and minimize the costs and risks. Last, you would monitor your decision.

My job-related decision

It is because of my ethical beliefs that I may act differently in different situations. An example of how my ethical beliefs may act differently would be how I made the decision to talk to management about a coworker who was an alcoholic and was costing the company a tremendous amount of money. This was a tough decision to make and after making the decision to