Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Abstract

Facilitators of problem-solving groups, because they serve the interests of multiple constituencies (management, the group, individual members, and themselves), face numerous ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas arise from the tensions created when promoting the good of one group or individual is at odds with promoting the good of another. This article examines the nature of the ethical dilemmas faced by facilitators and approaches for evaluating and managing these dilemmas. The authors suggest that formalistic approaches to ethics, those that recommend the establishment of and conformity to ethical codes of conduct, are inadequate by themselves for raising the standards of ethical practice. Rather, ongoing examination of ethical choices, employing a utilitarian approach, one that judges choices on the basis of promoting desirable consequences, offers the best hope for improving ethical practice among facilitators.