ACCOUNTING ETHICS

In an attempt to get an idea of the firm's current situation, you ask the interviewers to give you a rundown of the biggest short- and long-term issues you would need to focus on if you were hired.

Nancy answers immediately. "Our problem is simple: we're not bringing in clients. If you're hired, your first priorityI might go as far as to say your only priority-is to get the numbers back up. I expect aggressive pursuit of that goal."

"Not too aggressive!" Bret adds in a somewhat panicked voice. "Some of the previous hires for this position were, well, jerks. Present company excluded," he adds hastily, nodding at Liu. "The other departments in the firm took a lot of heat from those guys. If you're hired, I think you'll be responsible for rebuilding the trust. Don't expect anyone to meet you halfway."

"Let's not forget that this position is available because of an ethical issue that led to us terminating a few members of the firm's accounting team," Gertrude says. "I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say that the rules are in place for a reason. Follow those rules to the letter. No exceptions, no shortcuts, no compromises. If everyone did so, we'd have no problems whatsoever."

The blind spot of the Reputation Lens (virtue ethics) is unrealistic role expectations. People who use this lens consider the qualities and behaviors someone in their role is meant to demonstratebut those expectations can be set too high and become impossible to attain, making one overwhelmed. Some might ask you to take on responsibilities outside your role, or to cover for others. Be careful about how much you're willing to stretch, or you'll wind up tearing yourself apart.

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Which interviewer's response indicates the Reputation Lens (virtue ethics) blind spot of unrealistic role expectations?
		Nancy's response
		Bret's response
		Gertrude's response