Question: Communication is often used to influence other people and to persuade them to behave in ways that help an organization achieve its goals. Sometimes, however, influence and persuasion can be used for unethical purposes. Managers, for example, might persuade employees to overcharge customers for products such as legal or accounting services, or encourage employees to sell expensive products to customers who obviously cannot afford to buy them. On the other hand, employees might try to persuade their managers they are doing a good job by only communicating information that makes them look good and "hiding" the rest.
1. How can managers decide if their attempts to influence employees are ethical or unethical?
2. How can employees decide if their attempts to influence their managers or coworkers are ethical or unethical?
3. What kind of rules could be created in an organization to ensure attempts to influence and persuade others never become unethical?