Conference room with seven people in a training session

Effective ethics training is less skills-based and more focused on outlining expectations of behavior in the workplace. Organization members generally know the “right” answer to most ethical questions in an abstract setting. However, if these same questions arise during an important contract negotiation or if a critical customer relationship is on the line, individuals may feel pressured to make an alternate choice. Thus, effective ethics training is more about instilling values and promoting positive behaviors than about solving a particular problem.  

Examples

Abramoff and Self-Serving Bias

Abramoff’s version of the self-serving bias, which causes us to see things in ways that support our best interests and…

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Abramoff and Role Morality

Abramoff’s version of role morality, which is our tendency to use different moral standards as we play different “roles” in…

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Abramoff and Rationalizations

Abramoff’s version of rationalizations, which are the excuses we make for not living up to our own, or society’s, ethical…

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Abramoff and Overconfidence Bias

Abramoff’s version of overconfidence bias, which is our tendency to be more confident about our moral character and our ability…

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Abramoff and Moral Equilibrium

Abramoff’s version of moral equilibrium, which describes our tendency to keep a running scoreboard in our heads that compares our…

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Abramoff and Framing

Abramoff’s version of framing, which describes how our judgments, including our ethical judgments, are affected just by how a situation…

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In It To Win: The Jack Abramoff Story

Featuring former lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff, this 25-minute documentary from the McCombs School of Business explores the biases…

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Harvey Weinstein

This short animated video from the McCombs School of Business looks at the "open secret" of Harvey Weinstein's treatment of…

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Emissions Scandal

This short animated video from the McCombs School of Business examines the Volkswagen emissions scandal and its origins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmXEZ1gqTSY&feature=emb_imp_woyt

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Airline Passenger Treatment

This short animated video from the McCombs School of Business looks at the involuntary deplaning of airline passenger David Dao.…

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Practical Guidance

Giving Voice to Values: Reasons & Rationalizations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9KMJuGg52Q

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Giving Voice to Values: Voice

You are more likely to say words that you’ve pre-scripted for yourself, and more likely to “voice” your values, with scripting and practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSoXqsrOqqM

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Giving Voice to Values: Self-knowledge & Alignment

Self-knowledge and alignment means to voice and act on your values in a way that is consistent with who you are and builds on your strengths. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMF8K8AXM8E

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Giving Voice to Values: Purpose

Define your personal and professional purpose explicitly and broadly before conflicts arise, and appeal to this sense of purpose in others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dAela3UW0s

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Giving Voice to Values: Normalization

Normalization means expecting values conflicts so that you approach them calmly and competently. Over-reaction can limit your choices unnecessarily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDKcnKL0tY

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Giving Voice to Values: Choice

Believe that you have a choice about voicing your values and know what has helped – and hindered you – in the past so you can work around these factors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDcziaELE0

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Giving Voice to Values: Values

Know and appeal to a short list of widely shared values. Don't assume too little -- or too much -- commonality with the viewpoints of others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Q-E7-lkt4

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Veil of Ignorance

What is the veil of ignorance? Learn about this ethics concept in this video from the McCombs School of Business. For more video definitions, select from the list on this page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWSYpiE54cg

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Values

What are values? Learn about this ethics concept in this video from the McCombs School of Business. For more video definitions, select from the list on this page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCjYaatMJuY

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Utilitarianism

What is utilitarianism? Learn about this ethics concept in this video from the McCombs School of Business. For more video definitions, select from the list on this page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FrZl22_79Q

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