Seven Step Method for Ethical Decision Making with Example

Key wellness & self-care / productivity themes

This video is primarily about ethical decision-making, but it emphasizes a structured, repeatable process that can reduce mental stress and second-guessing by replacing uncertainty with clear steps.

Seven-step ethical decision-making method (Michael Davis)

1. State the problem

   • Identify what feels “off” (e.g., discomfort, possible conflict of interest).

2. Check the facts

   • Gather and assess relevant facts (including legal constraints, technical details, and other non-ethical factors).
   • Note that you may need to make assumptions if not all facts are available.

3. Identify relevant factors

   • Consider involved parties, applicable laws, professional codes/standards, and practical constraints.
   • Evaluate magnitude and context (e.g., even a small gift could matter depending on conflict-of-interest implications).

4. Develop a list of options

   • Brainstorm alternatives beyond the initial “yes/no” dilemma.
   • Consider different stakeholders and who you can consult for perspectives/help.

5. Test the options (ethics checks)

   • Harm test: Does this option do less harm than alternatives?
   • Publicity test: Would you be okay with it being published in the newspaper?
   • Defensibility test: Could you defend it before a peer/congressional committee without seeming self-serving?
   • Reversibility test: Would you still think it’s right if it were done to you (even with adverse effects)?
   • Colleague test: What would your profession’s governing board/ethics committee say?
   • Organization test: What would your organization’s ethics officer or legal counsel say?
   • Virtue test: What would a virtuous person do—and what kind of person would you become?
   • If options fail these tests, they’re unlikely ethical; mixed results require weighing.

6. Make the choice

   • Select the best option based on outcomes from steps 1–5.

7. Final review + prevention

   • Look for ways to avoid repeating the situation:
     • Individual precautions: clarify/publish your policy, change boundaries, possibly change jobs.
     • More support next time: get additional guidance or resources.
     • Organization change: suggest policy changes in meetings.

Practical example: project manager + expensive vendor gift

Scenario

A construction-company project manager is offered expensive concert tickets by a vendor.

1. State the problem: Accepting the gift may create a conflict of interest.
2. Check the facts:
   • Company gift policy
   • Ticket cost
   • Whether the vendor has a pattern of gift-giving
3. Identify relevant factors:
   • Bias risk in future dealings
   • Maintaining vendor relationship
   • Company policy + possible disciplinary actions
   • Your own ethical principles
4. Develop options:
   • Accept the gift
   • Politely decline and explain reasoning
   • Offer to pay yourself
   • Report the offer to a supervisor for guidance
5. Test options (key tests mentioned):
   • Accepting: could create obligation and influence decisions
   • Declining: may cause tension but protects integrity
   • Paying yourself: removes conflict but may strain budget
   • Reporting: increases transparency but may harm the relationship
6. Make the choice: Based on policy, comfort level, and consequences—likely decline with explanation.
7. Review & prevention: Prevent recurrence by clarifying the company gift policy and setting vendor boundaries early.

Presenters / sources

• Michael Davis (credited in the subtitles as the source of the “seven steps method” for ethical decision-making)