This forms the basic structure of human choice and hence decision making. These have been outlined by ethicist Dr Simon Longstaff of The Ethics Centre in his very practical book, Everyday Ethics.Īccording to Dr Longstaff, ethics “can be viewed through the prism of values, principles and purpose”. Often circumstances arise where a councillor needs to make a tough decision about ‘what ought I do’.īy taking a philosophical approach to decision making we can consider three components of thinking.
#Great leaders make tough decisions how to#
Discussions cover issues such as how to manage potential conflicts of interests or how to ensure fair consultation when gathering information to assist in their decision making. The three considerations of making a difficult decision a good oneĪs part of my work, I coach Mayors and deliver training for local government councillors in good governance.
Unfortunately, the Athenians didn’t think to include women, foreigners or slaves in their democracy that would come eventually many centuries later (women finally got the vote in 1952). However, although suffering from a severe case of unconscious bias towards anyone that wasn’t an adult, of male gender or a Greek citizen, the great philosophers did leave western civilisation with a useful ethical framework to assist us to think through how to make good decisions. Like Plato, leaders have been pondering the question of “what should I do?” ever since those ancient times when democracy seemed like a brilliant idea for those Athenians. Socrates’ teaching has informed philosophical discussion on morals and ethics for the past two millennia. Perhaps you have heard of his famous quote that the unexamined life is not worth living.įor many leaders, this call to examine the purpose of life, can be a useful prompt to examine the values that drive your behaviour in life, work and public office. I like to imagine that, in response, Socrates turned to his bright precocious student, gave a big sigh and delivered his philosophy advice on ethical decision by saying something like: “It’s pretty simple Plato, one must follow one’s purpose and do what is good and right’.īut if it was that simple why is our trust in politicians and those who lead our corporations and financial institutions at such a low in terms of public satisfaction? What can today's leaders learn from those ancient Greek philosophers that’s useful when considering how to make tough decisions and stay true to what is good? What the Greeks left us to think about It’s a question the great philosopher Plato put to his wise teacher Socrates, around 400 years BC as they sat in the Greek Agora, probably discussing the political issues of the day.
"What ought one do?" a question often asked by leaders when considering how to make a tough decision a good decision.
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