Leadership and Professional Ethics

Personal Ethical Framework Assignment

Aldo Acevedo
Brandman University
OLCU-350
September 16, 2016

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Leadership and Professional Ethics

Ethical framework is an individuals step-by step process that one goes through in order
to reach an ethical decision. It is considered a set of principles that one follows which can be
based off of religious convictions, ideologies, or personal and ethical principles. How we make
decisions is based on this framework that we each build and justify. By following James Rests
four-component model (1) is aware that an ethical dilemma has arisen, (2) forms a moral
judgment, (3) develops motivating ion to do something about it, and (4) is a person of high moral
character(Collins, 2012, p. 137), one can determine if someone is likely to behave morally. For
a virtuous person reaching a moral conclusion should be fairly easy. The bases for my ethical
framework are first determined by using the five virtues and ethical values that matter the most
worldwide are responsibility, fairness, respect, compassion, and honesty (Kidder, 2010 pp. 4748).
My ethical framework is continuously developing throughout my life. It is based and
influenced through my experiences, role models, and religion. Ethics and morals relate to
right and wrong conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different:
ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or
principles in religions. Morals refer to an individuals own principles regarding right and wrong
(Ethics vs. Morals para.1). My ethical framework started at a very young age. From the ages of
4-15 my parents made me go to church with them and had me enrolled in Sunday school. While
in church I learned about the golden rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto
you (Matt. 7:12), this was instilled in my ethical framework. This concept is used in many
religions and cultures throughout the world and is the ground rule for altruism. The Ten
Commandments also played a vital role in my ethical framework development and has been used

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Leadership and Professional Ethics

throughout my life as a basic principal for my ethics. Schooling, parents, laws, television,
culture, religion, etc. all played a part in my ethical framework and reasoning.
Ethical reasoning helps individuals analyze the ethical basis of their decisions and
actions. My personal ethical framework is the standard for which I use to make ethical decisions.
There are three standard approaches to ethical analysis that I utilize, which are called
consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics. Consequentialism has to do with looking at the
consequences of different courses of action. This is an appealing view, as it links morality to the
effects of our actions (Rogers & Braunack-Mayer, 2009, p.11). Deontology theory looks at the
duties or obligations of those making the decision, meaning that regardless of the consequences,
certain judgements/acts must be taken based on whether they are morally prohibited or required.
Virtue ethics looks at the character and virtue of the decision-maker. Virtue ethics relies upon
identifying a series of virtues that are necessary for human flourishing, that is describing a set of
characteristics that we accept as good (Rogers & Braunack-Mayer, 2009, p.13) such as, honesty,
compassion, and integrity. Ethical decision making is influenced by ethical reasoning whether we
are cognizant or not. Ethical reasoning is based on what is determined to be right and wrong
human conduct. From a very young age most are taught what acceptable/right conduct is and
what unacceptable/wrong conduct is.
For my professional ethical framework I follow all of the code of ethics and code of
conducts set forth by my employer. I believe that this is the best approach for my own protection
as well as my employer. For professional ethical reasoning and decision making I like to use
Raytheons ACTION decision-making model to derive moral conclusions.

Act Responsibly
Consider our Ethical Principles
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Leadership and Professional Ethics

Trust your Judgement

Identify Impact on Stakeholder
Obey the Rules
Notify Appropriate Persons (Collins, 2012, p. 147)

Using exhibit 5.5 A systematic rational decision-making framework is another exceptional tool
for determining what the best decision to make is. I recently had an ethical dilemma come up at
work and I used this framework to determine my best course of action The answers to questions
5, 6, and 7 point managers in the direction of the most moral decision. Doing something because
the action is to the greatest good of the greatest number of people affected by it, treats all
stakeholders with respect and integrity, and is something a virtuous person would do provides a
tremendous amount of moral certitude(Collins, 2012, p. 148).
Another process that I utilize for my ethical reasoning is critical reflection. This is used in
order to communicate your feelings and emotions, as well as demonstrate that you have heard
and understood the feelings and emotions of another person. I do this before making any
assumptions and to try to understand any ethical and/or unethical behavior. Critical reflections
probe the context, the assumptions of the people involved, and the way these influence their
judgments, expectations, and behaviors. Critical reflection demands an open mind and heart,
including the willingness to slow things down, to question ones interpretations of the situation
and the other person involved, to listen carefully with a suspension of blame, as well as to probe
alternative viewpoints (Coleman et al., 2014, p. 568). Critical reflection is vital to understand
emotions and feelings in order to change ones response patterns. Using a systematic approach to
process the information as opposed to heuristic model. The heuristic-systematic model has two
distinct modes of information processing, Systematic processing involves attempts to
thoroughly understand any information encountered through careful attention, deep thinking, and
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Leadership and Professional Ethics

intensive reasoning about relevant stimuli and to integrate this information as a basis for
subsequent attitudes and behaviors (Coleman et al., 2014, p. 536).
My ethical framework has shaped who I am. My morals, values, ethics, reasoning, and
decision making is based in my personal ethical framework. My framework has allowed me to
make the best possible decisions throughout my life and has guided me to where I am today.
Ethical dilemmas are not a habitual occurrence in my life, Im not sure if it is because I uphold
myself to a higher standard and try to handle every situation ethically, or because I simply dont
notice it, or a combination of being able to stay out of ethical dilemmas because of the way I
handle situations. My personal ethical framework has allowed me to have ethical beliefs that
generate ethical intentions that result in ethical behaviors.

References:
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Leadership and Professional Ethics

Coleman, P. T., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. C. (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution:
Theory and practice (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Collins, D. (2012). Business Ethics How to Design and Manage Ethical Organizations.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons

Ethics vs. Morals. Diffen.com Retrieved on September 16, 2016 from:

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Ethics_vs_Morals

Kidder, R. (2010). Good Kids, Tough Choices. San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass.

Rogers, W. A., & Braunack-Mayer, A. J. (2009). Practical ethics for General Practice. Retrieved
September 17, 2016, from https://eds-a-ebscohostcom.libproxy.chapman.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzQ2NzQ3Nl9fQU41?
sid=201a1d99-d97c-49e1-9ef531242a847d9e@sessionmgr4006&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

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