The Ethics Project

The Ethics Project

So many royal commissions ( 7 so far), so many decisions, non decisions, that negatively impact others.

Why is it that with all of the regulation, training, experience and internal policies of organisations that some people in positions of authority and power make choices that are dishonest, criminal, exploitative or reflect being asleep at the wheel?

How can we improve the reliability of executives and non-executive directors of boards to make ethical choices at the margin and under stress?

Ethical performance of executives and directors is developed like many other capabilities, through direct experience and the utilisation of knowledge. This is a first of its type research with a focus on practicing executives and governance professionals who are able to gain personal insight and help others utilise this knowledge.

I am researching Executives who demonstrate ethical edge. In the context of ethics mistakes get made. However an executive who has had to clean up after ethical failures will be the stronger for it and have improved ethical performance over time.

I want to understand the different contexts in which ethical leaders perform (there are 4 domains) and have to deal with ethical issues and understand how these leaders develop and sustain their ethical edge in context:

Awareness – what is in consciousness about the issue at hand
Choice – how do I choose
Action – what action do I take
Affirmation – how do I affirm the rightness of the decision.

Why care?

Ethical choices sustain a society that is able to rely on the development of trust between community members from which human development can arise. Society improves for all with an ethical worldview.

More detail of the models will be explained to those that are genuinely interested and able to participate. I expect to be able to publish an article about this work however that is not the main purpose of the work. Those that participate in the research will be given advance access to the results, be able to share in shaping and implementing the models into their organisations and shaping their own practice.

Ultimately this will help educate , develop and improve governance and leadership and ethical edge for ethical leaders. New and developing leaders will benefit from your experience, knowledge and actions and this will shape their careers.

The Researcher:

I have extensive experience in executive roles and understand the sensitive nature of this work. I am a member of the AICD and if needed references can be provided.

If this works interests you, or you know someone it should, please get in touch as soon as possible. Please use this email phil@braktenconsulting.com or contact me on +61 (0)400084712.