Movie: A Few Good Men

The moment when Col. Jessup confesses to ordering the Code Red and his reasoning for the order. (2:38 minutes)  An example of decision-making based on utilitarianism, making a decision based on the greater good for the greater number of people.

http://movieclips.com/uENU-a-few-good-men-movie-you-cant-handle-the-truth/

1. What was Colonel Jessup’s perspective on why he should be allowed to break the law?
2. What is the immediate ethical dilemma in this scene?  What is the ethical dilemma in the movie?

Altruism

TED Talk: Peter Singer - The Why and How of Effective Altruism (17:19 minutes)

30 seconds into the clip is graphic content which Peter Singer uses to provoke an audience about everyday decisions.  He provides 4 questions to help encourage the audience toward effective altruism.

http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_singer_the_why_and_how_of_effective_altruism

1. Do you consider yourself altruistic?  Why or why not?
2. Peter Singer gives the scenario of where the little girl dying in the street is overlooked.  What are ways our society overlooks suffering?  What moral reasoning accompanies this societal decision-making?
3. What are ways you can promote and engage in altruistic activities and organizations?

Confucianism

YouTube clip: 10 Life Lessons from Confucius We Should All Follow (10:04 minutes)

A contemporary dialogue about primary lessons from Confucius.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxzPp_Fh1nA

1. Who was Confucius?
2. What was your favorite principle of Confucius’ teaching?  Please explain.
3.  How does that principle relate to your personal ethical perspective?

Values

News Clip: The 2010 D8 Conference Interview with Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs speaks about Apple’s values and how they operate on a functional team level. 

Watch the video from 59:00 to 1:06:25

http://www.wsj.com/video/d8-steve-jobs-onstage-full-length-video/70F7CC1D-FFBF-4BE0-BFF1-08C300E31E11.html

1. What core values do you hear Steve Jobs describe?
2. Do those values correlate with Apple’s website of company values?

http://www.apple.com/sitemap/ 

        3.  If there are any discrepancies between what Steve Jobs communicated and what is posted online, what could be some reasons in the value differences?

Personal Ethic vs. Character Ethic

YouTube clip: Stephen Covey on Personality Ethic vs. Character Ethic (7:53 minutes)

Stephen Covey explains the difference between personality ethic vs. character ethic that can enhance or hinder a person’s character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACukmJ_5HSo

1.  What is the difference between personality ethic vs. character ethic?
2. Take a personal inventory.  What positive and negative personality ethic characteristics do you have?  What character ethic qualities do you have?

Ethical Decision Making in Action

Media clip:  Undercover Boss (CBS): Boston Market Season 4 Episode 9 (17:00 minutes)

Boston Market’s Chief Brand Officer, Sara Bittorf, goes undercover to re-evaluate how some of the restaurant locations are running.  In one location, Sara ends up confronting one employees poor behavior. 

http://www.cbs.com/shows/undercover_boss/

The press release about Sara Bittorf’s employment with Boston Market.

http://www.bostonmarket.com/pdfs/pressReleases/2012/20120312.pdf

1. In the first 17 minutes of the episode, Sara makes a tough decision with employee, Ronnie.  What does she communicate is the basis for her decision?
2. Do you believe her decision was reasonable or harsh?
3. What ethical basis is the direction of her decision?   What ethical basis is the direction of your perspective?

Destructive Motivations

Youtube clip: The President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Scandal (5:36 minutes)

On Demand News posts video footage from President Bill Clinton’s denial and acceptance of the 1998 scandal with intern Monica Lewinsky. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV7zqaKHY3Y

A short biography on President Bill Clinton: (3:32 minutes)

http://www.biography.com/people/bill-clinton-9251236

1. What did the President initially communicate to the media and the American people?
2. When the President testified before the Grand Jury, what language did he use to demonstrate destructive motivations as in: insecurity, greed, or ego?
3. The President eventually made confession to the inappropriate relationship with the intern.  The House     declared him impeached and the Senate acquitted him.  After his moral failing was exposed, what did the President do to regain popularity and trust?  Was trust rebuilt with the American people?

Moral Intensity

Movie Clip: Argo (2:22 minutes and 1:06 minutes)

In 1979, the U.S. Embassy in Iran was stormed and over 50 employees were taken as hostages.  Six of the staff members were not captured, but hid in the home of the Canadian ambassador.  Argo portrays some of the decision making process that happened in rescuing the six members.

http://movieclips.com/wQ2B-argo-movie-trailer-1/

and

http://movieclips.com/Mykh-argo-movie-what-we-like-for-this-are-bicycles/

1. How do the staff members respond to their plot of escape?
2. How key is the leader’s confidence into the group’s escape plan? 
3. What is the ethical basis for their cover identities when they are escaping from the country?  To what level was lying rationalized?

Listening

TED talk: Julian Treasure - 5 Ways to Listen Better (7:50 minutes)

Julian Treasure provides 5 simple tools to help people learn to listen better.  He draws correlation on how improved listening can broaden better understanding.

https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better#t-210470

1. What are Julian’s 5 tips for listening better?
2. What are subtle or mundane sounds that you need to learn to listen to in order to give value to?
3. Explain what Julian’s quote “conscious listening creates understanding” means to you?
4. What is at least one practical way you can practice to improving your listening skills?

Compassion as a Form of Confirmation

TED Talk: Why aren’t we more compassionate? (13:13 minutes)

Author Daniel Goleman speaks about the role of compassion.  He speaks about how the emotion of compassion plays a key role in many of our daily decisions.

https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_goleman_on_compassion

1. What are factors that can influence our perspective of compassion?
2. How can you improve your compassionate perspective in your work or educational environment?
3. What emotions do you “turn on” or “turn off” when in in your daily life?  In your work place? How is that capability a beneficial skill or a destructive skill? 

Effective Listening

Media Clip: The Office, Season 9, Episode 907 “The Whale”

The women in the office teach Dwight how to practice effective listening.

http://www.nbc.com/the-office/episodes

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8PIK74KO4

1. Do you know someone who listens like Dwight?   How does it make you feel?
2. What are non-verbal cues communicated by Dwight when the office staff try to communicate better listening?

Soft-Power Skills

Media Clip: Soft Power Skills (4:51 minutes)

Harvard Professor, Joseph Nye, formulated the concept of soft power skills.  In the media clip he highlights a few of the successful skills for soft power skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to7VXeXtNVI

1. What are the three primary skills recognized with soft power?
2. How can Emotional Intelligence aide soft power skills of an individual?
3.  How do verbal and non-verbal communication affect soft power skills?
4. What current leaders demonstrate effective soft power skills?

Impression Management

Audio Clip: King George VI’s Speech (5:44 minutes)

In 1939, King George VI addressed the British people about the country’s involvement in World War II.  Here is his original speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkMyKGx7TQ

As a British King, he struggled with a significant stutter.  In the movie, The King’s Speech, King George VI is seen wresting with his own disability.  He did not want his stammer to influence his impression in front of the British people in a time where there needed to be national confidence in their leader.  (6:33 minutes and 2:21 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fY3BOcjAnw

http://movieclips.com/MrdRt-the-kings-speech-movie-trailer-1/

1. What role does impression management play in the role of a king/leader/manager?
2. The early 20th century birthed many new media venues.  King George VI’s stammer may have been more easily managed with minimal media in the 20th century.  What challenges do leaders and managers face with impression management  with the media and social media?
3. What kinds of impression management do organizations need to scale in this age?

Emotional Labor

Media clip:  Undercover Boss (CBS): Dutch Bros. Coffee Season 5 Episode 8

http://www.cbs.com/shows/undercover_boss/video/CAFDE2BA-669C-570F-1ABB-5855D894F07A/undercover-boss-dutch-bros-coffee/

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwkuMxmDv0

Dutch Bros Coffee is a drive thru coffee company which prides itself on being “positive and lovin’ life.”  Read through their company creed and business beginnings to learn more about their perspective on company culture and customer service.

http://dutchbros.com/AboutUs/

Dutch Bros Coffee was featured on Undercover Boss. Throughout the episode, the CEO, Travis Boersma, goes undercover to see how the employees are performing within the organization.

1.  Does the Dutch Bros. company creed reflect their company culture on the show?  How is the creed reflected or not reflected?
2. There is a strong company culture of always being positive and interactive with the customer.  Since it is a service industry, what kind of emotional labor do you see portrayed within the episode?
3. How is the emotional labor effective?  How is the emotional labor beneficial or a detriment to the employees or the organization?

TED Talk: Willaim Ury “The Walk from ‘No’ to ‘Yes.’” (18:45 minutes)

William Ury is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Harvard on the Harvard Negotiation Project.    He presents the concept that a “3rd side” to negotiation can be maximizing opportunity in conflict as he illustrates the “Abraham Path.”

https://www.ted.com/talks/william_ury

1. What is the “3rd side”?  What is the role and possibility of the “3rd side”?
2.  What is the “Abraham Path”?  Describe how the “Abraham Path” can influence an organization or individual in conflict? 

News article: 5 Keys of Dealing with Workplace Conflict

Forbes contributing author, Mike Myatt, offers a 5 key concepts that can help anyone resolve conflict in the workplace. 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/02/22/5-keys-to-dealing-with-workplace-conflict/

1. How can a leader or manager anticipate or prepare for conflict?
2. How can a leader, manager, or employee learn to see conflict as an opportunity rather than a point of avoidance?

Movie Clip: Hitch (2:10 min)

The short clip within the movie shows Albert as a financial advisory board member to Allegra Cole.  However, in the moment he speaks truth from his heart, but his emotion gets the best of him.  Albert also holds the secret that he has a deep crush on Allegra.

http://movieclips.com/3JWZX-hitch-movie-shock-and-awe/

1. What could Albert have done differently while still communicating his perspective?
2. What emotions were controlling Albert?
3. Who avoided the conflict?  Who confronted the conflict?  Who accommodated the conflict at the table?

Groupthink

Media Clip: The 1986 Challenger (3:12 minutes and 2:07 minutes)

In 1986, the Challenger was launched when only to be met with fate within minutes of launching.  Later it was discovered that vital decisions made by the leadership team had led to the tragedy of the Challenger.

http://www.crmlearning.com/Groupthink-P54289.aspx

and

http://www.history.com/topics/challenger-disaster/videos/engineering-disasters---challenger

1. What characteristics of groupthink are evident in the Challenger incident?
2. What could have been options to prevent groupthink in the Challenger incident?
3. Who is to blame when failure or tragedy hits a groupthink scenario?

Movie Clip:  New In Town (1:12 minutes)

Lucy Hill is new in town.  She’s a female executive from Florida commissioned by her company to move to Minnesota and turn around a manufacturing plant.  In the process, she strives to overcome barriers with employees which already make her a target.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYZD3RY4FCA

1.  What efforts does Lucy make to connect with her employees?
2. If you were a leader who was clearly in the minority, what would you do to establish trust with your employees?
3. How would you measure your success or failures in building your group’s ethical performance?

Standing Alone

Movie Clip: Invictus (1:22 minutes)

Based on a true story, this scene depicts Morgan Freeman (Nelson Mandela) confronting his people on reconciling with the white people.  Mandela challenges his people to let him lead.

1. As an elected President, Mandela was a controversial leader.
2. How does Mandela challenge the people?
3. What ethical challenges do you observe in this scene?
4. When a leader is certain they are heading in the right ethical direction, and the people are intending to go a different direction, how does a leader re-direct and inspire the people to join the same vision?

Challenge of Power

Media interview: Michael Eisner “His departure from Disney” (2:17 minutes)

In 1984, Michael Eisner was hired as CEO of the Walt Disney Company which he served for 21 years.  Disney grew by leaps and bounds under his leadership, however it was not without controversy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toXcbneNxMs&list=PL-x8puLNyj7vJqhqbACEBdHzwQPGNCl4c

1. What leadership characteristics do you hear from Michael Eisner in this video?  Positive and negative attributes?
2.  He portrays a strong message of expectation in being let go from a job.  How do you think that correlates to a leader’s challenge of power persona?
3. What does Eisner’s perspective on being let go from a job tell you about some of his ethical perspectives in a job? 

Jump to Part 3 of Eisner’s interview titled “On what he saw as unethical business practice in letting the older generation go when he was a young executive at ABC.”  (At the 13:00 minute mark of Part 3. The clip ends at 18:35) 

http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/michael-eisner#

       4. Does your perspective change about Michael Eisner and his ethical approach in managing people? If so,            what changed your perspective?

       5. Are there any ethical dilemmas you have viewed in your past that you have vowed to handle differently when you are in leadership?  (ie: The example of Eisner observing Ted Fetter’s layoff.)

Transformational Leader

Movie Trailer: Invincible (2:27 minutes)

Vince Papale was an everyday type of guy until he decided to try out for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.  He was an inspirational leader because he took a chance at his dream.

http://movieclips.com/LBQMi-invincible-movie-trailer-1/

and

http://vincepapale.com/multimedia/

1. What kind of person and leader would you describe Vince Papale?
2. How did his work ethic transform some of the recruiting efforts for the NFL?
3. Vince Papale is still considered a role model by many.  What attributes make him an inspiring leader?

Callous Leader/Rigid Leader

Movie Trailer: The Devil Wears Prada (2:54 minutes)

Miranda is a top executive with the popular Runway magazine.  Observe how she interacts with employees.

http://movieclips.com/iPByJ-the-devil-wears-prada-movie-trailer-1/

1. In the movie, Devil Wears Prada, Miranda is known for distinct characteristics.  What were these characteristics?
2. Did she have to act in this manner in order to be successful?  Please explain your answer. 
3. How did her employees respond to her distinct traits?

Followership

TEDxFlanders: Jamie Anderson - Mahatma Gaga, The Art of Followership (16:28 min)

He draws a unique correlation of Ghandi and Lady Gaga and the art of followership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UKTOKz1Vzk

1. What role does “costume” play in followership? 
2. Do you agree that “costume” tells people who you are?  Please explain your perspective.
3. The presenter talks about how any follower knows they cannot go forward alone, but must move forward collectively.  How can followers move forward together with commonality or with a shared vision?
4. Take a moment to ask yourself the question, “Why would I follow me as a leader?”
5. Take a moment to ask your neighbor, peer, colleague, or boss the question, “Why should I follow you?”

Managing Up

Educational Clip: Lauren Mackler, Harvard Business Publishing (3:07 min)

Lauren Mackler provides a few insightful tips on how to manage up with your boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_phIsQ9BKSw

1. What are the three tips Lauren offers in managing up?
2. What are ways you can get to know your boss?
3. How can you track your successes and completions on a regular basis?  When is an opportunity for you to communicate those with your boss?

The Challenge of Cynicism

Interview Clip: Employee Cynicism and the Communication Task of Leaders (2:33 minutes)

Terry Pearce acknowledges that cynicism is more common than ever before within organizations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCrKTL4p_QM

or

https://www.youtube.com/user/BlessingWhite

1. What does Terry mention as a main contributor to cynicism in the workplace?
2. As a follower, how can you promote greater trust within the organization?
3. What is the value you bring to your organization?

Board of Directors

Interview Clip: What Does a Board of Directors Do? - Ask Jay (9:21 minutes)

Jay Adelson, explains the typical role of board of directors for an organization.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d8mSo-vG58

1. The board of directors play a valuable role in any organization.  If you are a new leader, what could be some valuable efforts you could do to recruit ethical board members?
2. What can be a beneficial approach in keeping an ethical relationship with your board of directors?  What would be healthy boundaries between a CEO and it’s board of directors?
3. What are practical ways for a board of directors to evaluate if they are operating ethically? 
4. Having a good working relationship with board of directors is key to any organizational success.  What are practical ways conflict of interests could be eliminated or reduced?

Ethical Training

An intro training video hosted by DuPont Sustainable Solutions to expose ethics training needs within an organization.

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

Below is a short list provided by DuPont of common ethical issues in the workplace.  Choose at least 3 issues and explain what would be a “wrong” expression of that scenario and solve it with a “right” way to solve that scenario.  

For example: Mercedes claimed her hair appointment as a company expense.  A “wrong” way to handle the situation would be to approve the expense and not confront the employee on the unrelated  business expense.  A “right” way to solve the issue would be to meet with Mercedes one-on-one to hear her reasoning in qualifying it as an expense.  If the expense did not pertain to her work duties, then politely explaining how hair appointments are not considered business related expenses and she will not be reimbursed for the expense.

Antitrust

Bribes And Kickbacks

Confidential Information

Conflicts Of Interest

Expense Reports

Gifts And Entertainment

Harassment

Insider Trading

Misstatement/Falsifying Company Documents

Misuse Of Company Assets

Records And Information Management

Responsible Communication

Retaliation And Speaking Up

Sales - Revenue Recognition

Social Media

Third Party Risk

Safety

Informal Elements of Building Work Ethic in the Workplace

Movie Clip:  The Pursuit of Happiness “Cold Calling” (1:56 minutes)

Based on a true story, Chris Gardner worked his way into an opportunity.  It is a “rags to riches” story.  However, the way he got achieved his goals might not be the common path for most people.

http://movieclips.com/JXdV-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-cold-calling/

1. What kind of company norms do you observe in this 2 minute clip?  The norms for Chris?  The work ethic norms for the other interns?
2. Was Chris’ approach to his work more or less ethical than the other interns?  Explain your perspective?

Media Clip: eTalks - The Secrets of Food Marketing (6:59 minutes)

Kate Cooper, Marketing Consultant, talks through some of the strategies a marketer will think through in branding a product for factory farming.  This video might be a paid promotion, but the content is thought provoking.

http://action.ciwf.org.uk//ea-action/action?ea.client.id=119&ea.campaign.id=28350&ea.tracking.id=966ff3f3&utm_campaign=outreach&utm_source=videobutton&utm_medium=youtube

or another accessible link:

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

1. What does Kate Cooper say are some of the secrets to food marketing?
2. How do marketers look to make consumers and clients feel when making a purchase?
3. What are some of the ethical dilemmas as a consumer?  What are some of the ethical dilemmas as a marketer?  What are some of the ethical dilemmas as a food producer?

Bullying and Workplace Harassment

Promo Clip: Workplace Bullying and Harassment - HR Training Video preview (1:51 minutes)

This short clip is a preview of a larger training segment on bullying and harassment.  It provides a brief glimpse of what bullying and harassment can look like in the workplace even when it’s an uncomfortable subject for employees to discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ApEAjD0U0

1. In the first part of the clip, what non-verbal communication and actions do you see demonstrated as being bullying or harassment?
2. In the later portion of the clip, what non-verbal communication and actions do you see as being respectful amongst employees?
3. Why can it be difficult for employees to talk about bullying and harassment in the workplace?
4. What would be some safe options for employees to share any unacceptable behavior they have encountered?

Workplace Harassment

Movie Clip: 9 to 5

Three women work for a rude boss.  Each woman deals differently with the boss’ poor behavior.  (1:37 minutes)

http://movieclips.com/jWFS-nine-to-five-movie-trailer-1/

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVKTZ4CEM90

1. By watching the trailer what challenges do you interpret the women workers facing?
2. How do those challenges affect their ability to do their jobs?
3. What kind of challenges do women continue to face in the workplace?  Do men face these similar challenges in the workplace?  Please explain.
4. Even though the film was released in 1980, does it seem there is much difference in the workplace expectations for women or for men?
5. What might be a positive ethical approach to confronting harassment in the workplace?

Triple Bottom Line

Media Clip: REI: Celebrating 75 Years of Adventure - Employee Perspectives

REI employees talk about the company’s progress over the years and it’s adaptation to change that reflects the company culture. (4:37 minutes and 1:54 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqvGOdHTbS0

And

In this clip, CSR Report gives a briefing of an REI initiative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZnIci_Zkw

1. After viewing both media clips, in what way is the triple bottom line expressed for REI? (people, planet, and profit)
2. Take a deeper look at the REI website to see how the triple bottom line is expressed in their values, vision and purpose.  What do you notice?
3. Is REI a type of organization you would want to work for?  If so, please explain.  If not, please explain.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Theory

Education Clip: Business Ethics - Corporate Social Responsibility (2:56 minutes)

A brief overview of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Stakeholder Theory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoE8XlcDUI8

1. What is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) theory?
2. What is the Stakeholder Theory?
3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both theories?

News Clip: First 3 Parent Babies Coming Soon (3:02 minutes and 2:36 minutes)

Discovery News shares news from the UK about the possibility for genetic coding and it’s influence with mitochondria and cell development in humans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQxsW_H5qr4

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-UFUAOrK0w

1. While this legislation is taking place primarily in the United Kingdom, how does this affect countries across the globe?
2. What kind of controversy does this ethical issue create?
3. What are the benefits of the genetic coding?  What are the disadvantages of the genetic coding?
4. Does the issue excite you or anger you?  Please explain.

Moral Common Ground

Media Clip: The Trolley Problem (1:37 minutes)

The media clip is an illustration to the common “trolley problem.”  Is it better to sacrifice 1 or sacrifice 5? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOpf6KcWYyw

1. Which option would you choose?  Through the switch?  Or push the man off the bridge?  Please explain.
2. Is there a difference between throwing the switch or pushing the man off the bridge?  Please explain.
3. When in a cross-cultural ethical dilemma, what could be an option to finding common moral ground?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (4:32 minutes)

Media Clip: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A simple media which communicates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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

and for other languages

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvqUt7IRQSqRtWrkvZpbjVw

1. Are these rights familiar to you?  If so, please explain.  If not, please explain.
2. Which rights do you most identify with?
3. Are there any rights that you think are questionable?  If so, please explain.