Professional Responsibility and Decision-Making

In the contemporary, rapidly evolving global landscape, providing a framework for ethical decision-making is critically important. former CPRBS Executive Director Gretchen A. Winter's article on the framework for professionally responsible decision-making explores the pivotal elements that underpin professional responsibility: professional identity, professional standards, and professional judgment.

These elements collectively form the bedrock upon which future leaders construct their careers, shaping the character of our professional landscape in terms of responsibility and ethics.

1. Professional Identity: The Foundations of Virtue

The first key component, professional identity, prompts individuals to start with the question, "Who am I?" This self-inquiry process encourages emerging professionals to discern and define their personal and professional values. Through this process they establish a robust ethical underpinning to guide their professional decision-making.

2. Professional Standards: The Upholding of Excellence

Professional standards underscore the need for understanding and adherence to the expectations, regulations, and ethical codes prescribed by one's chosen profession or organization. Commitment to these standards ensures that emerging professionals not only embrace ethical norms, but also actively contribute to the elevation and ethical advancement of their respective fields.

3. Professional Judgment: The Art of Ethical Decision-Making

Professional judgment, the third element, asks, "What will I do?"  The ability to render well-informed, ethically sound decisions requires confidence and strength of character. Repeated exposure and practice help individuals develop the requisite confidence and decision-making acumen necessary to negotiate the intricate web of professional dilemmas.