OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Understand the four ethical communities
2. Apply an ethical community to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

The organization, Adopt Tech, provides technology support to small and medium
businesses across the country. With 22 employees, including technical engineers, help desk
representatives, and client success managers, the company fosters a familial culture where
employees care about each other's personal lives. However, the workload is overwhelming, with
half the staff working over 50 hours per week.

I started as a Help Desk Representative and climbed the ranks to become a Client Success
Manager before transitioning to the Project Manager role. I worked directly with a Client
Success Manager, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and
the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to manage all projects within the company. Despite being
the only project manager and feeling overloaded, I accepted additional responsibilities to keep
clients satisfied and the business running smoothly.

The departure of the previous project manager and her recommendation led to my
promotion. However, feeling overwhelmed and undervalued, I accepted an offer from another
company, which paid more and offered the opportunity to learn from a larger team. Upon
resigning, the CEO of Adopt Tech reacted strongly, feeling betrayed, and even sent a cease and
desist letter to the previous project manager to prevent her from reaching out to other employees
with job opportunities.

2) Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

The ethical landscape within Adopt Tech is complex and multifaceted, influencing
various aspects of the organization's culture and operations. The departure of the previous project
manager due to concerns about work-life balance highlights a fundamental ethical dilemma
regarding employee well-being. Despite the close-knit and familial atmosphere within the
company, the pervasive culture of overwork and stress raises questions about the organization's
1
commitment to fostering a healthy and sustainable work environment. Furthermore, the
perception that employee opinions are undervalued underscores a deeper issue of communication
and respect within the company, potentially eroding trust and morale among the workforce.

The managerial response to my departure exposes additional ethical considerations,

particularly regarding transparency, fairness, and employee autonomy. The CEO's reaction,
characterized by scheduling meetings with other employees and sending a cease and desist letter
to the previous project manager, suggests a lack of trust and open communication within the
organization. Employees may feel constrained in their ability to explore external career
opportunities or advocate for their own professional development, fearing reprisal or negative
repercussions from management. Moreover, the significant salary disparity between my current
position and the offer from the new company raises questions about equitable compensation
practices and opportunities for advancement within Adopt Tech, potentially exacerbating
feelings of undervaluation and discontent among employees.

3) Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical community metaphors (see Exhibit
20.1 in Bolman and Deal) for an alternative course of action regarding your case.

To address the challenges at Adopt Tech, managers must first recognize the importance
of caring for their employees. “Caring begins with knowing; it requires listening, understanding,
and accepting” (Bolman & Deal, 2021, p. 415). By fostering open dialogue and actively listening
to employees, managers can deepen their appreciation and respect for each individual, ultimately
nurturing a sense of love and connection within the organization.

Furthermore, embracing vulnerability is essential in building a truly ethical community at

Adopt Tech. Just as love requires openness and vulnerability, so too does creating a culture of
trust and authenticity within the workplace. “Confronting vulnerability allows us to drop our
mask, meet heart to heart, and be present for one another” (Bolman & Deal, 2021, p. 415).
Through these voluntary, human exchanges, the soul of community is molded, fostering unity,
delight, and a sense of belonging among all members of the organization.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about
ethics.

Reflecting on the insights gained about ethics, I would approach similar situations with a
renewed focus on prioritizing the well-being of myself and my team members. Recognizing the
significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, I would proactively advocate for
practices that promote self-care and mitigate the risks of burnout. Moreover, I would place a
greater emphasis on valuing employee input and fostering open communication channels within
the organization. By creating a culture where all voices are heard and respected, I would ensure
that decisions are made collaboratively, taking into account the diverse perspectives and needs of
team members.
Furthermore, in navigating managerial challenges, I would strive to uphold principles of
fairness, integrity, and empathy. I would approach conflicts or employee departures with a

2
heightened awareness of the ethical implications involved, seeking to understand the
perspectives of all parties and finding solutions that prioritize the collective well-being of the
team. “Ethics ultimately must be rooted in soul: an organization's commitment to deeply rooted
identity, beliefs, and values” (Bolman & Deal, 2021, p. 419). Embracing the concept of love in
its broader sense of caring and connection, I would promote a culture of compassion and support
within the organization, fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of unity among
colleagues. Through these actions, I would endeavor to contribute to a more ethical and fulfilling
work environment for myself and those around me.

3
 Reference

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and

leadership (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.