Defining Moments

24 D

EFINING

M

OMENTS

a manager’s responsibilities conflicted with others. The stakes were

high, and there was no exit—a manager had to decide, choose,

commit, and act. Doing one right thing would sacrifice others. Each

situation confirmed the view of Sartre’s veteran political leader: dirty

hands situations are sometimes the inescapable lot of men and women

with real responsibilities in life.

But perhaps Sartre is too gloomy. Perhaps these problems aren’t

really so grave. It may be possible to find what Oliver Wendell

Holmes sought—‘‘the simplicity on the other side of complexity’’—if

only one looks in the right places. Perhaps managers can rely on

fundamental ethical principles, or the law, or carefully crafted com-

pany mission statements and ethical guidelines, ...