By Linda Fisher Thornton In Part 1 of this series I looked at the importance of Deep Thinking. In Part 2, we'll be considering the Context. No matter how much effort it takes to understand the context (whether we like it or not) we can't expect to make an ethical decision without it. Understanding the Context Without seeing the context - a broad and sweeping view of the issues we are discussing or trying to resolve - we are describing or trying to solve a SUBSET of the real issue. To use ethical thinking and decision-making, we must always remind ourselves that the SUBSET is not the whole.
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The Complexity of Ethical Thinking and Decision Making (Part 1)
By Linda Fisher Thornton When Thinking is Starved For Context and Complexity Think about how easy it is to start using shallow breathing without being aware that we're doing it. This can happen when we're stressed or anxious, and it can impact our well-being. We may be unaware that we are using shallow breathing until someone notices we're turning pale and tells us to BREATHE. When we use shallow thinking, that similarly impacts the "well-being" of our decision making, leading us to false conclusions and ethically problematic decisions. It's almost as if when we use shallow thinking, our decision making is getting less oxygen. We can medically treat people who are having trouble breathing. But what do we do about thinking that is starved for context and complexity?
5 Parenting Traps That Harm
By Linda Fisher Thornton Parenting is complicated and muddling through it without learning best practices can have negative consequences. Here are some things many parents do without realizing they may be contributing to the very problems they are trying to…
Healthy Media Consumption
By Linda Fisher Thornton I've blogged about how to spot fake news and variables complicating media ethics. Today I'll explore the characteristics healthy media consumption. Let's begin with a dose of healthy skepticism. Healthy Skepticism You can't believe everything you see. Photographs and videos that appear to be "proof" of a story may have been altered. Your best best is to choose your sources of information carefully so that you can reasonably be assured that what you are seeing and hearing is real.
What Drives Engagement? Is it Ethics?
By Linda Fisher Thornton While there is not yet one common definition of employee engagement, according to Mandrake, "common themes found in most definitions include a commitment to and belief in the organization and its values and a willingness and ability to contribute ‘discretionary effort’ to help the organization succeed" (Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement: Making the Connection, Mandrake). What really drives engagement? To what degree does ethics play a part? In this post I'll explore 5 ways that an organization's ethics impacts employee engagement.
On Patriotism, Nationalism, Globalism and Ethics
By Linda Fisher Thornton I teach global leadership and applied ethics and my students often have questions about the differences between patriotism, nationalism and globalism. This post will explore the differences and their ethical implications.
Nature Moments Offer Cognitive Renewal
By Linda Fisher Thornton The last time I had to stop to let a flock of geese to cross the road, they were in no apparent hurry. Most likely, part of their territory had been turned into a housing development, and they were just travelling from point A to point B. The driver of the car in front of me enjoyed the nature moment - watching them quietly as they crossed. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." William Shakespeare The driver in the left lane, though, was clearly not happy with the interruption. The car inched forward, closer and closer to the geese, and the driver honked repeatedly to hurry them along.
Want Top Talent? Pass the Reverse Interview
By Linda Fisher Thornton HR Executives are telling me that job applicants are "interviewing their interviewers" to find out about their organizations' ethics. It makes sense. Applicants want potential employers to treat them well and to demonstrate a positive track record in areas that matter to them. In this trend toward "reverse interviewing," applicants are asking about people practices, community involvement and sustainability practices.
5 Insights For the Class of 2019
By Linda Fisher Thornton I have a special message for our 2019 graduates. It includes five important life insights that I wish someone had shared with me when I was a new graduate beginning the next chapter of my life.
The Willingness to Admit We’re Wrong
By Linda Fisher Thornton We've all been wrong. It's only when we are willing to admit that we're wrong that we show what this John Templeton Foundation video describes as "intellectual humility." This video, titled "The Joy of Being Wrong" is a compelling visual portrayal of the process of being willing to admit we're wrong, and it describes the many personal and social benefits that result.
Unethical Thinking Leads To Unethical Leadership
By Linda Fisher Thornton As humans, we are flawed thinkers who fall victim to biases and traps. The biases and traps we so easily fall into reshape our thinking in ways that can lead us to make bad decisions.
Uncomfortable Learning
By Linda Fisher ThorntonI'm generally a fan of uncomfortable learning. I believe that "uncomfortable" is sometimes a necessary part of the natural processes of learning and growth. Facilitators and teachers sometimes leverage it to help people get past outdated mindsets or to shake up and resolve conflicts.
Global Ethics: TMP Challenge 15
By Linda Fisher ThorntonI participate in a global think tank called The Milennium Project (TMP). As an invited reviewer, my focus is on Global Challenge 15: Global Ethics. Participants submit their observations on trends, help define the biggest problems and areas of opportunity and submit input on how to improve the course of Global Ethics.The Milennium Project has produced a short video summarizing the global conversations on each topic. It details the global input on the most prevalent concerns and opportunities related to global ethics.
How Is Critical Thinking Different From Ethical Thinking?
By Linda Fisher ThorntonEthical thinking and critical thinking are both important and it helps to understand how we need to use them together to make decisions.
Shallow Thinking
By Linda Fisher ThorntonThe question of the day is "How does "shallow thinking" leads to ethical mistakes?" By shallow thinking, I mean thinking that is limited in breadth and depth. Think about taking a stroll on the beach as you read the characteristics of shallow thinking below. Think about how these characteristics describe the kind of thinking that leads to ethical mistakes and decision gridlock.
Leading in Context 