Weiss (2014) identifies the four ethical decision-making styles commonly deployed by business leaders: pragmatism, individualism, idealism, and altruism. I picked altruism because it relates more to my decision-making style. According to Weiss (2014), an altruist is concerned by other people's interests and lets these concerns overpower the need to consider self in the decision-making process. These are leaders who strive to achieve the common good, which is always the desires of the majority of those around them. Therefore, an altruist will forego personal targets or team goals to ensure that each member's needs are taken care of before business goals are achieved.
Unlike altruists, individualists value their self-interests and place them above everybody else’s. They ensure their comfort and wellbeing being is guaranteed before taking on team goals and targets. On the other hand, idealists are motivated by the principles that they believe in. Once idealists believe in the viability of a concept, they become adamant about working towards fulfilling the principle. This implies that idealists are less flexible, unlike altruists, who frequently change their decisions to meet other people’s needs (Beatty et al., 2020). Unlike altruists and individualists, pragmatists use evidence and facts to make decisions. Pragmatists do not consider their personal beliefs or other peoples’ needs. They depend on scientific evidence to make decisions, even if they are unpopular (Beatty et al., 2020). The complimentary side of altruism is the advances it makes for the group's good, which results in popular decisions, cooperation, and respect. As leaders, altruists are loved and will get their directives quickly followed and respected. While making decisions that incorporate the four styles, I would recommend a mix of each style but with different weighted priorities. Pragmatism will take more weight and will involve an explanation to the group on the need to follow evidence and facts while making decisions. I will then deploy idealism and altruism to bring members aboard the facts and align them to the concept that attaining common goals benefits most. Lastly, the least weighted style would be individualism which is also essential because personal needs must be met to promote effective decision-making. By deploying this strategy, I will enjoy the strength of pragmatism; assurance to progress and results, altruism; bonding and cooperation from members, idealism; uncompromising of principles; and individualism; self-care. The weakness of individualism and idealism, which emphasize individual needs and believes, shall be minimized.
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References
Beatty, J. E., Leigh, J. S., & Lund Dean, K. (2020). Philosophy rediscovered: Exploring the connections between teaching philosophies, educational philosophies, and philosophy. Journal of Management Education , 44 (5), 543-559. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562920912915
Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach . Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
