10/6/21

Session 10:
(Ethical) Decision Making

Vaibhav Anand, University of California, Berkeley

UGBA-105 | Leading People

Today’s Roadmap
• Theranos Documentary: Emotional Reactions,
what do you believe? (~20mins)
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40
mins)
• Theranos: What is in the news? (~10 mins)
• Pulling it Together: Best Practices for Ethical
Decision Making (10mins)

Theranos

• Theranos Documentary: Emotional

Reactions and Personal Experiences
What did you *feel* when you watch doc?
– Who is in biotech?
• Inside insight into viability of tech (of “Edison”?)
– Anyone work at or apply to or know someone?
• Inside stories

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Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

This study source was downloaded by 100000836140833 from CourseHero.com on 12-11-2021 10:59:19 GMT -06:00
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 10/6/21

Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

Theranos
• Theranos Fact-Based Case Discussion (~40 mins)
– The outcome of the Theranos saga is quite exceptional. How
exceptional do you think the underlying situation and pressures
highlighted in this case are, relative to other innovative ventures?
– Consider the incentives for innovative entrepreneurs when it
comes to extolling the virtues of their product. Should innovative
entrepreneurs overpromise, or misrepresent in any way their
products? Can they avoid it?
– How would you characterize the working conditions and culture in
Theranos, especially in regards to the flow of information and
leadership attitudes toward dissent?
– Employees can question managerial practices and potentially act as
whistleblowers. What were the incentives to do so in the case of
Theranos?
– What factors make it harder to detect fraud and other violations of
public trust in the corporate world?
– What might be the role of media, regulation, and moral values in
curbing violations of trust?

This study source was downloaded by 100000836140833 from CourseHero.com on 12-11-2021 10:59:19 GMT -06:00
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 10/6/21

Theranos
• Theranos in the news
–What is happening?
–Updates on case?

10

Pulling it Together: Best Practices for

Ethical Decision Making (The Big 5)
1. Autonomy is the principle that addresses the concept of leader
independence. The essence of this principle is allowing an individual or entity
the freedom of choice and action (e.g., COI).
2. Nonmaleficence is the concept of leaders not causing harm to others. Often
explained as "above all, do no harm.” This principle reflects both the idea of not
inflicting intentional harm, and not engaging in actions that risk harming
others (physical, financial, legal, reputational).
3. Beneficence reflects the leader’s responsibility to contribute to the welfare of
employees, clients, partners.
4. Justice does not necessarily mean treating all individuals the same. If an
individual is to be treated differently, the leader needs to be able to offer a
rationale that explains the necessity and appropriateness of treating this
individual differently.
5. Fidelity involves the notions of loyalty, faithfulness, and honoring
commitments. Employees/clients/partners must be able to trust the leader and
have faith in their leadership approach.

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fin

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