OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the four ethical communities
2. Apply the ethical communities to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

In delving into Module 1, I found myself entrenched in the complexities of my role as a Shift
Manager at Buffalo Wild Wings. Amidst the dynamic environment, the transition between
General Managers emerged as a pivotal juncture fraught with challenges. Reflecting on this
period, I discerned that the transition could have been better orchestrated, as its haphazard nature
resulted in a palpable decline in efficiency and productivity across the board.

The repercussions of the transition reverberated throughout the store, causing a discernible
setback in our operations. The disruption not only hindered our day-to-day functions but also
impeded our progress towards overarching goals. This experience underscored the critical
importance of seamless leadership transitions, emphasizing the need for clear communication,
strategic planning, and adept management to sustain momentum and drive success in a fast-
paced, service-oriented environment like Buffalo Wild Wings.

2) Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

Buffalo Wild Wings, being an extremely corporate organization, behaves in a way that is
most similar to the factory description from chapter twenty of the textbook. While they may
uphold the façade of ‘the family’ description, it is certainly more recognizable as the factory.
This description involves complete autonomy at all levels, and often times focuses on the
importance of effectiveness and efficiency of work to produce high quality yields (Bolman &
Deal, 2021). In doing so, for my situation previously described, they had little consideration for
the employees at the lowest level and decided that the best course of action was to appoint the
next highest manager as the general manager.

Ethically speaking, Buffalo Wild Wings' adherence to the factory model raises several
considerations. The prioritization of efficiency and productivity may sometimes come at the
expense of employee well-being and work-life balance. Employees may feel like mere cogs in

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the machine, with little room for individual expression or creativity. This could lead to issues
related to job satisfaction, burnout, and employee turnover. That being said, if they were more
involved in the ongoings of the job, they may have realized that the individual they chose for the
position was in fact, not the best fit.

3) Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative
course of action regarding your case.

Given the challenges faced during the transition between General Managers at Buffalo Wild
Wings, it's clear that a more structured and proactive approach is needed to mitigate disruptions
and ensure operational continuity. By taking a proactive and structured approach to leadership
transitions, Buffalo Wild Wings can minimize disruptions, maintain operational efficiency, and
sustain momentum towards overarching goals. Clear communication, strategic planning, and
adept management are essential ingredients for success in navigating transitions and fostering a
culture of resilience and adaptability within the organization.

I feel that the best ethical community that would provide a suitable course of action
would be the family. This community prioritzes listening, understanding, and benevolence
(Bolman & Deal, 2021). In an effort to understand their employees, I think that this method
would be most beneficial especially because it involves listening to the employees and their
concerns.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about ethics.

Given what I have learned about ethics, I would prioritize ethical considerations more
prominently in decision-making processes across all aspects of my personal and professional life.
It is incredibly important that a company prioritize the wants and needs of their employees,
especially when in an environment where turnover is rampant. I would strive to be more mindful
and deliberate in evaluating the ethical implications of my decisions. This involves considering
not only the immediate consequences but also the broader impact on stakeholders, society, and
the environment.

I would actively seek out diverse perspectives and engage in open dialogue with others to
better understand different viewpoints and values. This can help me make more informed and
inclusive decisions that reflect a wider range of ethical considerations. Not only that, but it would
also help me to understand if everyone of my team members agreed that this new general
manager is not in fact a good fit.

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 Reference
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Brand.