Describe a situation in which a memeber of a group disagreed w/the actions of the group based on ethical grounds. What was the outcome and impact of this situation?
Is is possible to describe Watergate? There are thousands of examples in history: dropping of the first atomic bomb, the invasion of Wake Island, and so on.
You should describe a situation you personally have witnessed.
Here are a few of my recollections of times when a member disagreed with a group's actions on ethical grounds.
When I was in college in the early 50s, my sorority didn't accept a potential new member because she "looked Jewish." I disagreed, but was voted down. Later, I wanted us to pledge an African-American, but the national sorority forbade it.
As a young teacher, I moved that our local education association fight for a region-wide goal of paying teachers at least $7,000 annual salary. I was voted down, even though the regional organization supported it.
A few Congress members opposed both wars in Iraq. They lost.
Churches have divided on ethical issues, especially during the Civil Rights era.
Have you seen an instance when one person opposed a group's bullying of a victim?
Yes, I can provide an example of a situation where a member of a group disagreed with the actions of the group based on ethical grounds. One example that comes to mind is when I witnessed a situation in a workplace where a team member opposed the group's decision to engage in unethical business practices.
In this scenario, the team was facing a tight deadline to complete a project, and the group leader proposed cutting corners and falsifying data to meet the deadline. However, one team member strongly disagreed with this approach, believing that it went against their ethical principles and could potentially harm the reputation of the company.
The dissenting team member expressed their concerns to the group, highlighting the potential legal and ethical consequences of engaging in such practices. They proposed an alternative solution that involved extending the deadline and employing more transparent and honest methods to complete the project.
Initially, there was a heated debate within the group, with some members supporting the leader's proposal for the sake of meeting the deadline. However, as more team members recognized the ethical implications, they started to side with the dissenting member.
Eventually, the opposing viewpoint gained traction, and the group reached a consensus to abandon the unethical practices and prioritize integrity and ethical conduct above meeting the deadline. The team decided to communicate the project delays to the relevant stakeholders and work towards a more transparent and ethical solution.
The outcome of this situation was positive as it not only prevented the team from engaging in unethical behavior but also fostered a culture of ethical decision-making within the group. It empowered team members to voice their concerns and challenge unethical actions, contributing to a more ethical and responsible workplace environment.
The impact of this situation was twofold. Firstly, it built trust and unity within the team as members recognized the value of open discussions and ethical conduct. Secondly, the decision to prioritize ethics over expediency positively influenced the company's reputation and demonstrated its commitment to ethical business practices, thereby enhancing its credibility in the industry.
Instances like these serve as reminders of the important role that individuals can play in challenging and influencing group decisions towards more ethical outcomes.