Is Business Bluffing Ethical?
This thought-provoking article written by Albert Z. Carr was published in Harvard Business Review and was a topic of conversation at the Executive Breakfast Club’s January seminar. As strong proponents of both business and ethics, Plan Ahead Events is a huge supporter of this organization.
The article, “Is Business Bluffing Ethical?”, compared strategic business decisions with that of a strategic poker player operating within the rules of the poker game. The author makes the argument that though bluffing and deceit are not desirable qualities in an individual, such traits are typically acceptable, even respected, in a great poker player. There is simply a different set of rules which poker players operate within and these rules are separate from each poker players individual set of morals. Though teaming up with another player at a table to cheat the rest of the “honest” players out of potential winnings would be theft – and deliberately distracting others at the table may be dishonest – the art of bluffing is admirable to those in the poker world.
Business people face difficult decisions everyday and when faced with such decisions, is it acceptable to claim that there is a different set of rules that apply? Is it ethical to simply operate within the written law and if an organization wanders into grey area it is allowed because the letter of the law didn’t prohibit the act? Should we all be held to a higher moral code than what is written in the law? Carr quotes Henry Taylor in his article, “falsehood ceases to be falsehood when it is understood on all sides that the truth is not expected to be spoken.” My fear is that in the game of business, the rules may not be clearly defined to all players so there is great opportunity to cross that ethical barrier, even if it is done in ignorance.
Sure, in the “game” of business there are certain rules which are typically followed and considered intelligent strategy; Carr points out that often times a subordinate will appear to agree with his/her superior even if they do not really agree because it is considered a better business move. Does this really help the organization though? In my opinion, the support of such practices stifles innovation. Maybe I am a bit naïve, but I truly believe that successful people view business as an extension of social responsibility. Perhaps I have studied Dr. Steven Covey a bit much, but I truly believe that the drive from one’s internal values system will cause an individual to have greater success than one will have if there is conflict between internal values and the decisions made in one’s business dealings.
In any event, the entire scenario really made me stop and think so I wanted to share!
-Melissa Wojcik
