Ethics Check: Leaders – What Would You Do?

Mark J. Komen, President

Kodyne, Inc.

Minneapolis, MN

Let’s face it—ethical dilemmas aren’t just for philosophers or courtroom dramas. They’re alive and well in every break room, Zoom call, and budget meeting. And in today’s workplace, how you act when no one’s looking—or when everyone’s watching—says more about your leadership than a polished mission statement ever will.

So how do you actually make a tough call when the right move isn’t obvious? Glad you asked.

Get the Facts. All of Them.

Before jumping to conclusions, pause. That thing you overheard by the coffee maker? It might not be the whole story. That heated Slack message? Could be missing context.

Be curious. Ask questions. And above all, avoid filling in the blanks with your own assumptions. Ethical clarity starts with factual clarity.

Take the Moral Point of View

What would a group of impartial outsiders say if they looked at this situation cold? No corporate history. No personal loyalties. No “but we’ve always done it this way.”

This is your ethical jury—and they care more about what’s right than what’s convenient.

Identify the Ethical Norms at Play

Here’s where it gets juicy. These aren’t just big words—they’re the backbone of ethical leadership:

Dignity: Everyone has value. Period.
Autonomy: People have the right to choose—yes, even if you disagree.
Honesty: Tell the truth. Sounds simple… until you ask how much truth to share.
Fidelity: Do what you said you’d do. Follow-through matters
Justice: Is everyone being treated fairly? Or are you playing favorites?
Utility: What serves the greatest good for the greatest number? (Yes, Spock was right.)

Decide: Consequences or Principles?

Sometimes norms collide. That’s where your ethical operating system comes in.

The Consequentialist says: “What will happen if I do this?” (Think ripple effects.)
The Formalist says: “Is this action right on its own, no matter what?” (Think moral backbone.)

Most leaders blend the two. The best ones do it consciously.

The AI Curveball

So, is there a place for AI in all this? With autonomous AI tools, bots and agents proliferating in our lives and our organizations, where do we humans have responsibilities in evaluating and applying ethical principles that have used AI for guidance? Currently, we are discovering limitations of AI such as biases, using erroneous facts and hallucinations (kind of like ourselves, actually). Who or what makes the ethical call here? Aren’t humans still stronger in creative problem-solving, showing empathy, drawing on input from one’s conscience and life experiences? Maybe AI is best-suited for running simulations, thought experiments and role-plays vs. being the deciding factor. Time will tell.

Final Thoughts

Ethics isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. It’s about asking better questions, slowing down just enough to listen, and being the kind of leader people trust when things get uncomfortable.

And when in doubt? Take a breath, zoom out, and ask:
“If someone I respect were watching me right now… would I still do this?”