Blind Spots

Why We Fail to Do What’s Right and What to Do about It

By: Max H. Bazerman, Ann E. Tenbrunsel

Narrated by: Kate McQueen

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

When confronted with an ethical dilemma, most of us like to think we would stand up for our principles. But we are not as ethical as we think we are. In Blind Spots, leading business ethicists Max Bazerman and Ann Tenbrunsel examine the ways we overestimate our ability to do what is right and how we act unethically without meaning to.

From the collapse of Enron and corruption in the tobacco industry, to sales of the defective Ford Pinto, the downfall of Bernard Madoff, and the Challenger space shuttle disaster, the authors investigate the nature of ethical failures in the business world and beyond, and illustrate how we can become more ethical, bridging the gap between who we are and who we want to be.

Explaining why traditional approaches to ethics don't work, the book considers how blind spots like ethical fading - the removal of ethics from the decision-making process - have led to tragedies and scandals such as the Challenger space shuttle disaster, steroid use in Major League Baseball, the crash in the financial markets, and the energy crisis. The authors demonstrate how ethical standards shift, how we neglect to notice and act on the unethical behavior of others, and how compliance initiatives can actually promote unethical behavior. They argue that scandals will continue to emerge unless such approaches take into account the psychology of individuals faced with ethical dilemmas. Distinguishing our "should self" (the person who knows what is correct) from our "want self" (the person who ends up making decisions), the authors point out ethical sinkholes that create questionable actions.

Suggesting innovative individual and group tactics for improving human judgment, Blind Spots shows us how to secure a place for ethics in our workplaces, institutions, and daily lives.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Princeton University Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well-written, stuffed with intriguing research, and more than a little unnerving, this book will make readers reconsider some of their most entrenched beliefs." ( BizEd)

Should be mandatory for everyone

The reader’s performance feels a little too academic, when actually the stories explained are very palatable for even the least knowledgeable person on ethicality.

If the last 10 months in the US haven’t been proof enough of how ethical blind spots undermine the good efforts of good people, this book calls out additional blindspots that most people have never considered. Put plainly, every business person, leader and politician should read this book carefully to safeguard their businesses and society. It befalls each and every one of us to determine what our blindspots are to ethical dilemmas and seek remediation; by acting ethically as individuals, we’re more likely to be successful at creating ethical cultures within organization and society.

A must read/listen!

Great book

Interesting and kept me engaged- would absolutely recommend to a friend or family member- enjoy

A data rich account of ethical challenges in life

This is a good book that shares a lot of research findings to help us distinguish ethical behavior and not find excuses or justifications such as, "Oh! That was a business decision."

Great book! Poor narration

Great well and I really enjoyed listening to all the valuable insight on ethical philosophies and examples. I really wish the narration of this great book did not sound so robotic. What is this read by a human being? It really sounded like a robot