GVV Pillar 2: Choice

Summary

The video script explores the concept of 'Giving Voice to Values,' emphasizing that individuals have the choice to act on their values every day. It highlights the importance of recognizing both 'enablers' and 'disablers' that influence our decisions and encourages proactive preparation to voice values effectively. Personal anecdotes illustrate the challenges and consequences of upholding values in difficult situations, such as workplace ethics and peer pressure. The script advocates for creating an environment that fosters open dialogue and practicing responses to ethical dilemmas in advance, ultimately promoting a culture of integrity and moral courage.

Takeaways

• 📚 Learning from Mistakes: The script emphasizes that every decision and action provides an opportunity for learning, even if it's learning what not to do again.
• 🗣️ Choice in Values: Professor Mary Gentile points out that people often claim they had no choice when not acting on their values, but in reality, we always have the choice to act or not act on our values.
• 🔊 Giving Voice to Values: The concept of 'Giving Voice to Values' is introduced, which is about recognizing our ability to voice our values and learning from past experiences where we did or did not do so.
• 💼 Workplace Ethics: Krupa's story illustrates the importance of standing up for what is right in a professional setting, even when it involves challenging executives and potentially losing business.
• 🤝 Supportive Management: A supportive manager can make it easier to voice one's values, as demonstrated by Krupa's experience with her director who was open to hearing her concerns.
• 🤔 Moral Responsibility: The script discusses the moral implications of decisions, such as not charging clients for enhancements they should have had, and the personal responsibility we bear for those choices.
• 👥 Peer Influence: The importance of having like-minded peers is highlighted, as they can provide support and help resist peer pressure in situations like underage drinking.
• 🕰️ Time Pressure and Values: Time constraints and being caught off guard can be 'disablers' that make it difficult to voice our values, suggesting the need for preparation and planning.
• 💔 Personal Relationships and Values: The script explores the conflict between personal relationships and values, as seen in the story of a friend not being told about a cheating partner due to fear of losing a romantic relationship.
• 🛡️ Preparing for High-Pressure Situations: Identifying 'enablers' and 'disablers' ahead of time can help us prepare for high-pressure situations and make it easier to voice our values when needed.
• 👥 Organizational Culture: The culture of an organization, including open discussion and not punishing for raising questions, can be an 'enabler' that supports voicing our values.
• 📝 Pre-scripting Responses: Preparing responses in advance for difficult situations, such as refusing to cheat, can help maintain our values even under pressure.
• 🚫 Consequences of Ethical Decisions: The script shows that standing up for one's values can have consequences, like job loss, but also highlights the potential for personal growth and stronger relationships.
• 💬 Communication and Leadership: Difficult leaders or managers can make it challenging to voice opinions, leading to the false belief that there is no choice but to compromise values.
• 🧘‍♂️ Inner Values and Decision Making: The importance of adhering to our values, even in the most pressuring situations, is stressed, suggesting that we should seek counsel from trusted individuals to reinforce our decisions.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind the 'Giving Voice to Values' concept discussed in the script?

The main idea behind 'Giving Voice to Values' is to recognize that individuals have a choice to act or not act on their values every day. It encourages learning from past experiences and understanding that we can voice our values effectively in various situations.

How does Anna's experience reflect the concept of learning from decisions?

Anna's experience reflects the concept by showing that she learned from a decision she made, realizing it was not the right thing to do and committing not to repeat it. This demonstrates the learning aspect of decision-making and the importance of reflecting on our choices.

What does Professor Mary Gentile suggest about the common excuse of 'not having a choice'?

Professor Mary Gentile suggests that the common excuse of 'not having a choice' is a misconception. She emphasizes that we always have the choice to act or not to act on our values and that recognizing this can help us learn from our past experiences.

What was the issue that Krupa faced with the client's system upgrade?

Krupa faced an issue where a client lost a functionality they had in an older version after upgrading to a newer version. Krupa had to stand up to executives and argue that the client should not have to pay for a feature they previously had for free.

How did Krupa's manager support her decision to voice her values?

Krupa's manager was open to hearing her concerns and was approachable, even when she was new to the job. This support from her manager allowed Krupa to voice her values effectively and make a morally right decision.

What are 'enablers' and how can they help individuals voice their values?

Enablers are factors that make it easier for individuals to voice their values. They could include having an open-minded boss, teacher, or friend who is willing to listen to concerns or having a situation that is important to someone the individual deeply cares about.

Can you explain the concept of 'disablers' as mentioned in the script?

Disablers are the factors that make it more difficult for individuals to voice their values. They could include being under tight time pressure, being caught off guard, or having a close friend asking for something that conflicts with one's values.

What was the difficult choice the speaker had to make in high school regarding her best friend's relationship?

The speaker had to choose between telling her best friend that her boyfriend cheated on her or keeping quiet to maintain her relationship with her own boyfriend, who threatened to break up with her if she told.

How can identifying enablers and disablers help individuals in high-pressure situations?

Identifying enablers and disablers can help individuals prepare for high-pressure situations by understanding what supports their ability to voice their values and what hinders it. This understanding can lead to proactive measures, such as working in an organization that encourages open discussion or pre-scripting responses to difficult situations.

What was the consequence of the speaker refusing to lie for their boss?

The consequence of the speaker refusing to lie for their boss was the deterioration of their relationship, ultimately leading to the speaker losing their job two weeks later.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with a difficult leader or manager?

The speaker suggests that in situations with a difficult leader or manager, it's important not to feel pressured into making unethical decisions. Instead, one should understand the importance of adhering to their values, even in the most pressuring situations.

What is Jacob's view on the importance of preparation in ethical decision-making?

Jacob believes that preparation is key to ethical decision-making because it's difficult to live ethically without being prepared. Knowing what one is dealing with and being prepared to avoid mistakes can significantly influence the ability to make ethical choices.