The Ethics Advantage #75: Peace for our time, a piece of your mind

Why do we never seem to learn from history? Or worse, why do we seem to learn the wrong lessons?

Maybe we just aren't listening. Maybe we don't want to hear. Maybe we just don't like the messenger, or we simply don't like the message.

But reality is what it is. And it doesn't care whether we believe it or not. It won't go away.

In this issue:

• A cautionary tale
• Grappling with the Gray #103

I hope you find these insights worthwhile. I think you will.

🥷This is the kind of post I wish I never had to write.

My son was a friend of victim Almog Sarusi. Not just a name. Not just a number. A beautiful human being who exuded joy wherever he went… lost to his family, lost to his people, lost to the world.

Nearly a year after the horrific October 7 massacre, our hearts break yet again hearing of the utterly senseless killing of six hostages, the murder of innocents for no reason other than to prevent their rescue and release.

So go ahead and empathize with the suffering of Gazan non-combatants; conflicting emotions are part of the paradox of being fully human.

But how many Gazans are complicit in the hiding and torment of Israeli civilian hostages? How many of them continue to support their terrorist leaders despite the pointlessness of their jihadist campaign against peace and civilization?

To remain neutral in the face of evil is to enable, empower, and endorse evil. Tragically, our capacity for ignoring reality when it stares us in the face goes back at least a century.

That’s why I feel compelled to reshare these thoughts from eleven months ago.

🥷Is it ever beneficial to intentionally send the wrong message?

That's the question that drives the conversation when Richard Bistrong, Ron Carucci, and 💜Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP® join the ethics panel to Grapple with the Gray.

Here is our topic:

Earlier this summer, a CEO and tech entrepreneur named Rob Dance ignited a firestorm on Twitter with a post titled: Things I'm sick of hearing from my employees.

His list included:

Can I leave early today? Ill be in late this morning. My child is sick, can I rush off? Ive got a doctors appointment tomorrow, is that okay? I'm going to be late back from lunch, I've got some things to sort.

He concludes with this pithy, editorial remark:

I don’t care.

Not surprisingly, the post attracted a barrage of critics, decrying his insensitivity and calling him a variety of colorful names. To which he replied with a short question:

Did you finish reading the whole post?

Because he concludes with these comments:

"I hired you for a job and I fully TRUST you to get it done. I don't need you to account for every single hour. Times have changed, and the workplace is different these days. People are sick of being treated like children.

"All that should matter is that everyone is happy, and that the work gets done. My advice to companies: Treat your staff like adults. That’s it, that’s the big secret. Give them autonomy, respect that they have lives outside of work, don’t gaslight them into being grateful for not being fired every day. Output should always trump hours."

One of my mantras is that Trust is the T in ETHICS. But is it wise to trust that readers will make it to the end of a provocative post and not miss the twist at the end? Does this style come across as snarky or refreshingly candid? Is it worth the risk of being misunderstood to make a critical point?

And aside from style, is Rob Dance’s advice practical in a culture where so many employers complain about workers slacking off and shirking their responsibilities? And if it is, why does it seem to be so rare?

Enjoy the soundbite, then click to watch or listen to the full episode: