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In this first insightful episode of MyLunchTable - host Simon Hague explores the critical yet often overlooked realm of ethical decision-making in leadership. With the average person making approximately 35,000 decisions daily, Simon challenges listeners to consider how many of these choices are consciously ethical.

The episode introduces a practical four-step framework—the "Four A's"—for making ethical decisions:

1. Awareness: Recognizing when a decision carries ethical weight and moving beyond autopilot reactions
2. Assessment: Gathering complete information, considering multiple perspectives, and evaluating long-term consequences
3. Alignment: Ensuring decisions reflect your core values and organizational mission
4. Action: Implementing decisions with transparency and taking responsibility for outcomes

Through a compelling real-world scenario involving user privacy versus client demands, Simon demonstrates how this framework can be applied under pressure. He also highlights common ethical pitfalls including stakeholder pressure, ethical fading (gradually justifying poor behavior), and groupthink.

The podcast offers practical strategies for ethical leadership, including implementing an "ethical pause" (asking if you'd make the same decision if it appeared in tomorrow's headlines), identifying your top three guiding values, and seeking external perspective from someone who can ask challenging questions.

Simon concludes by emphasizing that conscious leadership isn't defined by titles but by intentions, reflections, and integrity in daily choices.

The best leaders "don't just do things right—they do the right things even when no one's watching."

Additional Reading 

The 4 A Model: A Practical Framework for Ethical Decision-Making 

More Information 

https://mylunchtable.com/podcast/1