To Blast or not to Blast: Leaning on Values

After only two years on the job, a successful young female engineer encountered a critical and independent decision-making scenario in a profession traditionally dominated by males. She identified a safety risk in a construction project as she was driving to work and decided to ask the crew to stop their work for a safety assessment. The issue raised several key factors that she had to address in her attempt to manage risk. Her decision to shut down a field project in a residential neighbourhood was based on various considerations, given her assessment of an imminent threat to public safety. Was she right to stop the construction project? Could she have done things differently?

This case is suitable for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses on leadership, communication, or career management. The case illustrates the complexity encountered by a young professional when an ethical dilemma surfaces and warrants action. The courage, sound judgement, and values-based leadership necessary to make a decision under pressure while facing mounting opposition are highlighted, and the case also demonstrates the importance of leaning on professional knowledge and training, when facing a situation that requires an autonomous and timely decision. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to<ul><li>assess the challenges leaders face when ethical issues arise in the workplace, and the importance of taking accountability when addressing these issues;</li><li>discuss ways to communicate without losing credibility and to effectively voice values;</li><li>examine key steps and identify relatable situations that exhibit courage;</li><li>reflect on effective and ineffective communication methods for a particular instance; and</li><li>discuss what set of values guide a leader toward appropriate decision-making and actions, and the importance of taking responsibility for those actions.</li></ul>

• leadership
• leader character
• ethics
• values