Exploring Business Ethics Through Pop Culture
In popular TV shows or movies, ethical dilemmas often play out in ways that mirror and influence the real-world decisions we face in business. From the gripping drama of "Law and Order" to the moral complexities of characters like Tony Stark and Captain Picard, pop culture serves as both a mirror reflecting society's ethical struggles and a guiding light for navigating them. In this blog, we’ll discuss the beneficial influences pop culture has on business ethics.
Stranger Than Fiction: How Pop Culture Influences Business Ethics
Pop culture is the popular and instantly recognizable set of behaviors, ideologies, and objects that the vast majority of people in the modern world follow. Its widespread appeal is what makes pop culture so influential.
Ethics typically shift based on external circumstances. A person’s social environment is the most common source of ethical influence, including pop culture and media. Because of social media and mainstream media, communication is now global and accessible to nearly everyone. This has caused conversations about pop culture to be expansive and deeply scrutinized by large portions of the population, whereas before, they were generally confined to small social circles.
In the past, people in geographically confined social groups leaned towards similar opinions, but with the advent of global media, opinions are much more individualized. Leaders in the world of business should consider this shift in paradigm as they make plans to engage with customers and strive to expand their base. Trends in pop culture, which vary in their longevity and influence, have an actual impact on business ethics.
Pop Culture’s Effects on Ethics
Controversial ethical and moral topics can be dramatized in films and television to explore opposing viewpoints and present a story that depicts potential consequences in real life. Sensitive or taboo topics are prominent in performance arts and mainstream culture, and they are both compelling and repulsive to people.
Although not all ethical and moral concerns are controversial, academics have examined whether pop culture adequately reflects moral and ethical issues. The distinctions between reality and fictional entertainment, for example, might blur and confuse viewers in the reality television genre. Reality television encourages the worst attitudes and ideals in individuals while disguising them as entertainment. On the other hand, such debates might hide the benefits that people gain from pop culture.
Let's take, for instance, how pop culture provides us with aspirational role models that exemplify ethical leadership. One such role model is Star Trek: The Next Generation's Captain Picard. In the episode entitled "Measure of a Man," the status of Data, the android as an individual with rights, is called into question.
Picard takes it upon himself to defend Data because he sees Data not as an amalgamation of parts but as a valuable individual who has done his duty to uphold the mission of the Enterprise. Picard even defends Data in a court trial.
The court case is about a scientist who wants to take apart Data and study him in the hope of creating more androids because he is the best of his kind. Picard has to do his part to defend one of his lieutenants from a procedure that would permanently eliminate him, even though the Federation stands to gain immeasurable knowledge—demonstrating that it is the ethical duty of a leader to advocate for both the organization and the team which is made up of individuals.
At the time of its release, The Next Generation was highly influential, specifically because it dealt with contemporary ethical and moral dilemmas in a science fiction setting.
Applying Pop Culture Lessons to Real-World Business Ethics
Pop culture not only reflects societal values and ethical dilemmas but also offers invaluable lessons that can be applied to real-world business scenarios. To integrate these lessons into the fabric of organizational ethics, businesses can:
- Establish Clear Ethical Guidelines: Develop and communicate clear ethical guidelines that align with the values portrayed in positive pop culture examples.
- Foster Ethical Leadership: Encourage leadership styles that prioritize ethical decision-making, accountability, and transparency, drawing inspiration from characters like Captain Picard.
- Promote a Culture of Accountability: Embrace a culture where individuals are accountable for their actions and decisions, learning from the redemption stories of characters like Bud Fox and Tony Stark.
- Encourage Dialogue and Reflection: Create spaces for open dialogue and self-reflection, allowing employees to discuss ethical dilemmas and learn from the ethical journeys portrayed in pop culture.
- Invest in Ethical Training: Have your staff enroll in training programs that use pop culture examples to illustrate ethical principles, making the lessons relatable and memorable.
The Benefits of Popular Culture Influence
Pop culture is consumer-driven, meaning that the general audience selects the entertainment they want to see. Pop culture can teach real-world business ethics through memorable figures like Captain Picard.
An effective code of ethics for staff and leaders promotes a healthy work environment based on mutual respect and understanding. Establishing a code of conduct is vital for company and personal growth. At 360training, we offer an online and easy course to develop your own ethical guidelines. We offer a wide range of courses as part of our Code of Conduct Training catalog. From Business Ethics to Ethics for Financial Professionals, we have it all. Head to our website to get started today!
