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Personal Ethics and Decision Making

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An Analysis of Personal Ethics and Decision Making

University of Phoenix

COM 526: Managerial Communication

Group MIAA0CWRK6

Barbara Nagle, MA

August 11, 2008

An Analysis of Personal Ethics and Decision Making

I am running late to work. I have a meeting scheduled with senior management at the start of the business day to propose a new project. The project will generate new revenue for the organization. I am two blocks from the office, and the meeting starts in five minutes. As I approach an intersection, I see the traffic light change from green to yellow. Two cars in front of me pass through the traffic light while it is yellow. I know I will not be able to traverse the intersection before the traffic light changes to red. No other vehicles appear to be crossing the intersection. What do I do? What would you do?

Every day one faces decisions resembling the one presented in one’s personal and professional lives. Often one has little or no time to deliberate the alternatives. How does one analyze the available choices and make a decision? What guides the decisions? – Personal ethics. Ethics can be described as a set of values that guide individual or group conduct. One’s “set of values” is derived from one’s personal experience, one’s culture, and one’s workplace (Taft, 2007). Thus, personal, cultural, and organizational values influence one’s decision making process.

Types of Values

Personal values originate from one’s background and upbringing. Often, these are principles learned from parents and family. Religious beliefs and teachings may also contribute to an individual’s values (Taft, 2007). For example, I was raised Catholic and taught the Ten Commandments. Biblical teachings and life experiences have shaped my values. My personal values include service, excellence, safety, family and integrity.

Cultural

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