The Four Ethical Lenses

Look at a hard decision through four lenses: utility (the greatest good), rights (what is owed to each person), justice (fair sharing of benefits and burdens), and virtue (what the manager you want to be would do). When they conflict, apply the publicity test and the reversibility test, decide, and document the trade-off.

A layoff that saves the company (utility) may still owe people honest notice (rights), fair selection (justice), and a humane conversation (virtue).

Would I be comfortable if this decision were on the front page, and would I accept it if I were on the receiving end?

Picking the one lens that supports the choice you already wanted.

Take one workplace decision you disagree with. Run all four lenses. Where do they disagree?

Which lens asks you to design the rule before you know which side of it you will be on?