Morally and ethically right.

In 95% of the projects, morally and ethical approaches conflict and creates a dilemma for most technicians. The moral road represents decisions you make that are “best” for the project. The ethical road relates to doing what you are paid to do…follow the direction of your manager and company. The times these agree are only 5% of all projects.

 

The moral road is to make decisions based upon what is best for the project, thinking that will help the company strive to new heights. Ethics relate to doing what you are paid to do…follow the direction of your manager and company.

 

Technicians tends to weigh moral decisions higher than ethical decisions. It is a black/white thinking that forgets that reality is really gray. The combination of making decisions based upon morality and ethics.

 

This continued battle creates stress for the technician. Being 100% ethical, makes you a “yes man” or “empty suit.” Being 100% morally right, makes you “closed-minded” or not a “team player.” You may see how another approach (as directed by a manager) can lead to a train wreck. You know that your way will help the company grow but are stopped at every opportunity.

 

The conflict is within your self. You need decide your compromise point. Is the manager’s approach going to get a “good enough” solution? Sure, it’s not the best but if you can accept a lesser success rate in your mind…live with it. If the solution really will hurt the project or company and you can’t live with that, start looking for another opportunity. Fighting against the ethics for the morally-right solution will get you laid-off or fired.

 

Understanding and accepting the continual conflict between moral and ethical approaches will help you find avenues to negotiate and persuade. It will help you live in reality which is gray. Accept that ethical decisions are part of any final decision.