Defining Moments: When Managers Must Choose Between Right and Right

by Joseph L. Badaracco Jr.

"Defining moments," according to Badaracco, occur when managers face business problems that trigger difficult, deeply personal questions. In deciding how to act, managers reveal their inner values, test their commitment to those values, and ultimately shape their characters. Badaracco builds a framework for approaching these dilemmas around three cases of increasing complexity, reflecting the escalating responsibilities managers face as they advance in their careers. The first story presents a young man whose choice will affect him only as an individual; the second, a department head, whose decision will influence his organization; the third, a corporate executive, whose actions will have much larger, societal ramifications. To guide the decision-making process, Badaracco draws on the insights of four philosophers--Aristotle, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, and James--because they offer practical rather than theoretical advice. He thus bridges the gap between classroom philosophy and corporate pragmatism. The result is a flexible framework that managers can draw on to resolve issues of conflicting responsibility in practical ways.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Management, Buisness, Textbooks, Self Help

160 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 1997

Reviews

[Leonardo Longo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author shares an important view that ethical issues can only be decided in the context of each company and situation but provides an effective conceptual framework, using three case studies, and suggesting three sources of information and supports for judgment: (1) The company’s mission/values statement, (2) Legal responsibilities and (3) Moral philosophy.
To guide the decision-making process, Badaracco draws on the insights of Aristotle, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, and James, as they offer practical rather than theoretical advice. Over the book, Badaracco also uses the learnings from John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant, Plato and ends with an interesting reflection on Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations", due to the Roman emperor experience as a thinker and also a "manager".

[Charley Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't your typical management book in which it gives you a list of characteristics of a good manager and a list of actions to perform to become a good manager.

It talks about philosophy and beliefs. Why the phrase, "just do what is right" a lot of times isn't possible because all the choices you have could be right, depending on your perspective.

The first 5 chapters were hard to get through but once you do it gives you ideas to think about and helps define who you are as a person and what the organizations you work for stand for. It is interesting and different than what the regular business books out there and I have to admit I do think about the ideas in this book more than any other business book I've read.

[Sahib Bhatia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chaps were really gripping but the book gets repetitive. Overall, nice read!

[Whitney Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my Purpose & Ethics class and I really enjoyed it. Walks you through tough decisions and scenarios and approaches and outcomes. Very helpful read for those in manager position.

[Emil Niclas Hofseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical guide with case studies on decision making, introducing philosophy and theory to the equation.

[Brian Kurzhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The toughest moral quandaries are often not right versus wrong, evil versus good. If my ethically right solution is at odds with yours, then we have a right versus right dilemma. Author Joseph Badaracco expertly defines the problem and presents seemingly intractable cases. Peeling back the layers, Badaracco reveals the dynamics of politics and cunning, and the powers of awareness and shrewdness. In retrospect, the painfully complicated becomes comprehensible, disaster avoidable. Badaracco offers insight into our own past mistakes, which we can leverage to navigate safely through future minefields.

[Mr. Smidl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlike his other book that I read for class, this one was just a lot of nonsense in my eyes. Too much philosophical pedagogy for my liking when I'm trying to understand what these defining moments might be for me as an administrator. The only redeeming quality would be some notes on Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius in the final chapter.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It distills 2500 years of philosophy on ethics down to a practical discussion of the questions to ask when faced with moral dilemmas at work.

[Alhanouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book about the dilemmas we face when making a choice from options that are all seem right and reasonable....

[Jhilliard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this time of "fake news", shifting values, political infighting, and power politics, todays leader is regularly faced with ethical and value decisions in the workplace. They can choose to ignore these conflicting values and go for what is most convenient and beneficial for them or they can weigh them against deeper concerns about what is right. Badaaracco does a very good job of asking the right kind of questions of a leader. Even though this book was written more than 20 years ago I find that it is more relevant today than it was then. As a leader I find it both refreshing and helpful in this time of political power politics

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole basis of the book is in the title. Oftentimes we don't choose between right and wrong, we choose between right and right. You pick what's important to you. That's a nice thought, and a compelling one. The book however, did a poor job of being compelling. I think you'd get just as much out of thinking to yourself, "What am I choosing in life, and is that the best thing that I want to be choosing?" and then do your best to scrape away your own excuses.

[Rodney Shae Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Essentially a summary compilation of various philosophers ideas and amalgamating them into a series of questions/thoughts for managers to think about when dealing with ethical situations. The concept of right versus right decisions is relevant in today’s business society where corporations are continually looked upon to act as social stewards as well as businesses. The book is a relatively short read and would recommend it.

[Jonathan Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for an ethics class but ended up really enjoying. The author goalies a very practical approach to tackling ethical delimmas and gives a series of questions that could be very helpful in addressing this type of situation.

[Kat Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable collection of stories of managers making difficult and complicated decisions woven among descriptions of several philosophers. It’s a good length with some solid core takeaways and truths.

[Tanner Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fine and it has a purpose, but I am not the intended audience. I tended not to view the ethical dilemmas presented in this book as dilemmas. As far as textbooks go, though, this is a good one.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on ethics with great examples and stories. Very easy and quick to read.

[Monique Chan]

BUS 303

[Esso · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4. Interessante ideer, god bok, men amerikansk og dratt litt vel ut.

[Denisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. I really liked the way how they viewed all the angles of the story and not just create a fan-fiction type of drama. I liked how it is based on facts on multiple angles, which truly defines that "right versus right" decision making. I appreciate the candidness of the leaders in the book and I also appreciate how some things are just way out of your control and you just have to hope that you get the best shot.

[Rilee | rilee_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an amazing professional development book. I am typically wary of professional development books because they throw in a lot of jargon and technical terms that the layperson or ‘new to these books’ person doesn’t understand. But this book was really well written and easy to follow. I liked how it was separated into distinct categories/themes and was presented in a clear and concise way. It brought up points and things I’ve faced in my work that I never thought twice about in the past. It also utilized specific examples when talking about the different topics/theories, which aided in helping the reader understand the material. I will take the knowledge I learned from this book with me into my future leadership positions.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book this Goodreader has read this year, the best book by far. Highest Praise!

Even the subtitle hints at Joseph Badaracco's wisdom: "When Managers Must Choose between Right and Right." Of course that happens. And this is no gimmicky title for some high-concept mass market book. This book aims to bring discernment and wisdom to tough choices.

What an education I received; deliciously thought-provoking education from a superb writer. Within two pages, I could tell the writing was going to be superb throughout the entire book, and it was. Badaracco gives us readers the equivalent of a college course... from a master teacher. He writes fluidly, providing magnificent transitions that seem completely effortless.

THREE BRILLIANTLY CHOSEN CASE HISTORIES

Early on, the author presents three different case histories, three compelling examples of executives who are torn beween which of the right things to do could be The RIGHT Thing to do.

Adding layers of knowledge, bits of those case histories are revisited. As a seeker of truth, somebody committed to social justice; as a practical idealist who's intent on making a positive contribution through my actions... how much I learned!

I'M EVEN PREPARED TO THANK, OF ALL PEOPLE....

Niccolo Machiavelli. Seriously!

And whoever would have thought that I would learn so much from the author of "The Prince"? Other writers and philsophers, too, but Niccolo was the big surprise to me. Used to be, I thought that machiavellian was a synonym for a sinster brand of selfish wickedness. But no longer. Actually, I plan to read "The Prince" in 2024.

In the future I'd also like to read all I can by Joseph L. Badaracco Jr. One doesn't encounter master teachers every day. At least this Goodreader doesn't.

IN CASE YOU'VE READ THIS FAR AND, LIKE ME, YOU ARE NOT A MANAGER

Don't let that stop you. Goodreaders, I learned so much from "Defining Moments" about becoming more effective in this world; shedding some naivete in the process, but holding fast (as always) to my sacred ideals.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will spare you the long-winded details of another school book review. One quick thought – this book is about work choices and life choices and moments in which the two types of choices become hopelessly intertwined. These definng moments usually reveal something important about our basic values and about our commitments in life. This is not to say that defining moments or hard decisions create new values. Rather, these moments simply make clear the things that matter most to us (whether they be principles or priorities).

Reading Badaracco’s book, I found myself reflecting on the moments that have defined much of who I am thus far and also considering what defining moments I will face in the future. It’s interesting to consider the seemingly simple moments that actually affected everything that came after. I also was left thinking about who I am and who I am trying to be and how that fits into my personal ethics – essentially I did everything my ethics professor could have hoped for…oh, and I fell in love with Nietzsche (Can’t confidently pronounce his name, but I am in love with his idea of self and with living our “best life” – JW- if you were here, I think we would have lots to talk about)….

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choosing right over wrong and good over evil is the easy stuff, or at least should be. This book deals with the tougher choices: how to decide what to do when you must choose between two right choices. These are the decisions that we agonize over and worry about, but they are also the decisions that create the defining moments in our lives. These defining moments reveal, test, and shape who we are and who we are becoming. For managers making choices within their organization, defining moments go beyond being personal. They have the power to shape and guide entire companies. Badaracco draws from several philosophers, such as William James and Aristotle, to aid managers in not only recognizing these moments when they occur, but also in analyzing the situation and asking the right questions of themselves to aid in their decisions. I find it interesting that Badaracco uses Machiavelli as part of his ethics guidance team. I love reading Machiavelli, but he was certainly not a shining star of moral instruction.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugg, 2 recent philosophers are of more value than those who have studied for centuries, economist is biased because of tenure, muddling right-right choices while ignoring criteria, id spontaneous moral sentiments--curious and unstable-- what a goal. This is horid, Joe praised deceit and dishonesty as acting as a fox--again, distorted. Joe also justifies wrong options by calling them right-right. Joe suggests one has to live a 'dual life', what lunacy. Also cites other pre-WWII German philosophers to support their similar insanity. Joe attempts to suggest that options have equal value and is blind to criteria of virtues and morals to distinguish. Joe suggests people live with bland lukewarm choices mirred in the insanity of right-right choices, in lieu of the clarity of right and 'less than right'==not right choices. Also, Joe suggests Lincoln as an example, wherein, had Lincoln followed Joe's insanity Lincoln would have chosen in the 1864 election to compromise rather than risk losing the union over the issue of slavery.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I also read this book for a class, but I thought it was pretty good. It demonstrates what the author sees as right vs. right decisions, and discuses how various people have responded to some such scenarios in their lives. I think the key to enjoying this book is to not try to take the examples to a deep level. To me this is an introductory book for students/professionals who haven't thought about ethics often, but rather just tried to "do what's right." If you are a philosopher, or already taken courses in ethics, you will probably expect too much.

As for my criticisms, like most business books this book was about 20-30% too long. The last few chapters dragged, and the level of the conversation varies, which probably opened him up for the criticism you see in other reviews, which I alluded to above. All in all, if you want to get a differently point of view about tough decision making, and haven't delved into ethics books in the past, this is the book for you.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for Business Ethics class. This was by far the best of the three assigned readings and it became more interesting because our professor included the press conference in which Badaracco introduces this book.

This reading is particularly interesting because it introduces dilemmans that many of us sometimes overlook. Why it becomes hard to choose between "Right vs Right"? Because an alternative is not merely a wrong answer and both alternatives are frustrating and difficult for managers because not only they affect their business environment but a more personal, intimate setting.

Badaracco drives deeply from figures like Aristotle and Machiavelli to find and evaluate management decisions. He provides real life examples of tough decisions that were not simply right vs wrong, but carried a deep significance for the parties affected.

[anh le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defining Moments draws upon three major case studies that can affect people on personal and organizational levels. These case studies slowly unravel difficult but interesting moral dilemmas, which the author majestically and precisely narrated throughout the book.
This book provides insights by using probing questions to help solve ethical problems in management. Also, it emphasizes on the fact that real-life problems do not have one single solution, but they are in fact right-versus-right conflicts and managers need to come up with solutions that align with the situation at hand.
Wonderful if not enthralling narrative, this is an easy read that may help guide anyone through the moral conflicts in their life.

[Aleshia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for my LIS 505 class, Administration and Management of Libraries. It was an okay read. I think the book covers an area that everybody could use advice on-- choosing between two "right" choices. To some extent I think the book was dragged out to be 9 chapters. It probably could have been like 3 or 4... Reading the book I was confused at how the author would manage to make it so long. I know he published as a book to get to a wider market, but really, I think for example, a scholarly journal publication (or even a longer typical magazine article) would have sufficed. He does have nice examples to back it up though, and a book will most likely make more money.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my MBA ethics class, it offers some good food for thought. It basically introduces 3 scenarios where people are put in difficult ethical situations and then uses each story as means to introduce questions you could ask yourself if you were in a similar situation. The questions are drawn from a variety of sources (aristotle, machiavelli, etc.) and are pretty good. He does tell the end of each story, but leaves it up to you to decide whether or not what they did constitutes ethical behavior.

[Peter Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best points from the book is the realization that each and every day, managers around the world have to face ethical dilemmas that have stumped some of the brightest and most gifted minds in philosophy. I loved the approach of combining multiple schools of thought when making those really big decisions.

It's always good to read a book and come away wanting to be a better person. This book makes me want to be a more thoughtful person. Not in the "I remembered your birthday" way, but in the "I think long and deep about important things" way.