Ethical decision? Ask these five questions

Leaders often face situations where they have to make difficult decisions. If you want to make sure the decision is ethical, use the following five questions* to guide your decision making. 

1. Would you like your decision to be on the front page of tomorrow's paper? This means that your behaviour is public knowledge - no secrets here.

2. Would you like your Mum to know about it? Would she be proud or ashamed?

3. What positives will come from it? Think of what the outcomes of the decision are.

4. Is your decision consistent with your values? Does it sit comfortably with you?

5. Would you like people, in years to come, to talk about your decision? Are you happy for it to be included in your legacy?

If you think of the well publicised corporate scandals of recent years, perhaps if these questions had been considered, the decisions may have been different.

What would your organisation be like if you promoted the use of these questions in guiding decision making, every day?

Cheers

Greg