Ethics Awareness Inventory Analysis Essay

The Ethics Awareness Inventory (EAI) is a test created by the Williams Institute of Ethics and Management to provide individuals with a general approach towards ethical issues. This test broadly categorizes your profile in four categories namely, character (C), obligation (O), results (R), and equity (E). This paper will discuss my EAI profile, and how the results apply to my professional and personal development. In the end, I’ll also explain how my educational experience has affected my ethical thinking. According to the Ethics Awareness Inventory test, I’m most closely aligned with character, and least closely aligned with equity. This means that I’m a person that believes that having a good moral character is more important than achieving the results or completing their obligation. I believe that honesty and integrity are the most important characteristics of a ethical person. I look beyond people’s actions, and look deep into their character to decide whether they are ethical or not. I also believe that there are some standards regarding right and wrong, and that everyone is fully aware of them. They just need the proper willpower to act upon them. My EAI test also shows that I value obligation rather than results, which implies that I look into the best interests of the company, and don’t really consider the consequences of my action. I treat everyone like human beings and give them respect, rather than looking at them as means to an end. It also implies that I’m a team player. My EAI score also suggests that I believe that an ethically and morally correct decision shouldn’t necessarily be popular. In fact, most of the decisions I make are unpopular in the masses, and I think that is a measure of great character to stand up against a crowd. Regarding my professional and personal development, I always ask my self three questions when faced with an ethical dilemma: is it right for me; is it right for the company; and is it right for the customer? I believe that a decision should be in favor of the customer and the organization as well. I always look for a win-win situation when faced with a problem. Another way I solve my ethical dilemmas is by looking at the character of the person and the intention behind it. When I feel strongly about an ethical decision, then I ignore the rules and make the decision based on the person’s character. Lastly, I consider that my educational experience has tremendously affected my ethical thinking. When confronted with an ethical dilemma, I’m able to analyze the situation calmly. Furthermore, through my learning experience, I’m able to value the diversity and appreciate the opinions of others. By appreciating the point of others, I’ve been able to successfully avoid and/or solve conflicts. Furthermore, my educational experience has helped me increase my awareness about the choices I have regarding making decisions. I’ve learnt that I’m not right in every situation and that it’s better to be more flexible when dealing with other people. In conclusion, I believe that it’s extremely important for every individual to understand their ethical inclinations. Although there are no right or wrong answers in the test, I believe that by taking this test a person is better equipped to defend his personal and ethical decision. Furthermore, a person is better able to understand himself and his values. Reference University of Phoenix. (2010). Ethics Awareness Inventory. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from University of Phoenix, Week Two, rEsource. GEN480—Interdisciplinary Capstone Course Web site.