The mood at Baileyville High School is tense with anticipation. For the first ti

Question

The mood at Baileyville High School is tense with anticipation. For the first time in many, many years, the varsity basketball team has made it to the state semifinals. The community is excited too, and everyone is making plans to attend the big event next Saturday night. Jeff, the varsity coach, has been waiting for years to field such a team. Speed, teamwork, balance: they've got it all. Only one more week to practice, he tells his team, and not a rule can be broken. Everyone must be at practice each night at the regularly scheduled time: No Exceptions. Brad and Mike are two of the team's starters. From their perspective, they're indispensable to the team, the guys who will bring victory to Baileyville. They decide-why, no one will ever know-to show up an hour late to the next day's practice. Jeff is furious. They have deliberately disobeyed his orders. The rule says they should be suspended for one full week. If he follows the rule, Brad and Mike will not play in the semifinals. But the whole team is depending on them. What should he do? 1. Identify the ethical issue or problem 2. List the facts that have the most bearing on the decision 3. Identify anyone who might be affected by your decision and how . Explain what affected person would want you to do about the issue 5. List three alternative actions and identify the best and worst-case scenario for each alternative, anyone who would be harmed by this choice (and how), any values that would be compromised by selecting this alternative, and any automatic reasons why this alternative should not be selected (legal issues, rules, etc...) Determine a course of action/What do you say? 6.

Explanation / Answer

Ques 1. Ethical Issue or Problem-

1. Brad and Mike both know that they are extremely important for their team, and probably are the best players in the team as well. This can be a reason that they showed up late for the training, thinking that they are better than the others, and probably do not need the amount of training as the other guys need. So coach as an ethical problem, that he punishes them in the same way as he would have done to any other member, and creates an example of equal treatment for all, or does he let them go, as they are two very key players, but then sends a message accross the team that all the other members are not as important as the two.

Ques 2. The facts that have most bearing on the decision are-

1. The two players are the best in the team

2. The team has reached the semi-finals of this huge tournament after so many years, and if these two are left out, they are probably going to lose the match; and also this magnificent opportunity

3. The two players have shown irresponsible behavior towards the team

Ques 3.

Who can be affected by the decision-

1. Two players- They might feel bad, that they have won so many matches for the team, and just because of only that the coach should have forgiven them for this mistake

2 . The team- If the coach doesnt punish the two, the team members might start to feel inferior, and start underperforming due to lower confidence; or they might start believing that the coach does not have a huge amount of confidence in them

3. The society- The society is a huge challenge. The people are wanting a win desperately, and whatever the coach decides, if the team ends up on losing side, the society will blame for any of the two decisions he took.

Ques 4.

Two players- would want the coach to understand their importance, and allow them to play the match. (This is an assumption; as the two players might themselves understand the issue and walk out- that would be a great thing to do)

The team- They would want a fair and equal treatment for all. (Again this is an assumption; as the team might also understand the importance, and allow the two players to play).

The people- They only want a win. Not much else matters.

Ques 5.

Alternative 1-

Forgive the players and allow them to play-

Best Case- The team gets a good chance to win and might end up winning it too. But still other players would feel lesser confidence. This would still not help you build the best team; even if you win the semi-finals.

Worst case- Other players may lose the confidence in themselves, the team may fail miserably, all the players lose confidence, and then perform poorly not just this time; but for all the times ahead. The team loses the match; but atleast players learn about values and equality.

People harmed- the team as a whole will be harmed.

We should not chose this alternative; as even when the best case happens- that is the team wins, the team would be made weak on the values, and this would be a bad thing to do for the future of the team.

Alternative 2.

He punishes the players

Best Case- The other players perform brilliantly due to confidence shown by the coach. The team wins; and all the players are prepared for the better future. The two best players made to sit out, also understand about the equality of the team, and perform even better from next time.

Worst Case- The team loses badly, and the society blames the coach for everything. But the coach earns the belief of the team, the team earns the respect of coach; everybody learns values such as team work, fair treatment etc.

People harmed - society - due to disappointment of loss; but not the team

This alternative can be chosen, as even in the worst case when the team loses; the players learn a lot on the team values; and a good system is prepared for future; and a better team is built for the future.

Alternative 3.

Set up a team meeting to solve the issue

Best Case- Allow the players to solve the issue among themselves; maybe the two defaulters are ashamed of their behavior, and they understand the team dynamics; and team as a whole forgives them and they play together on the main event day. Be a guid in the meeting; tell them its their team, and they have to decide first what should be done.

Worst case - Players fight miserably among themselves, and end up quaralling with each other, completely breaking the team altogether.

We can chose this alternative as well, but the worst case would mean that all the team falls apart, people lose entirely on the values; and things can go haywire. This alternative can be chosen but is a risky one.

Ques 6.

Course of action-

1. Allow the players to meet and decide, as it is first their team, but carefully look over the meeting

2. If things are sorted out, good, if not, and you find things going in wrong direction, stop the meeting then and there.

3. If meeting doesnt help, be sure, that punishing the players is the only way you can save the team for the future, and teach everyone on the team values.

4. Tell your best players, whatever be the result, that is either the team decides well among themselves, or you have to interrupt and finally make the two sit out; be sure you tell your 2 players that they are the best, but the team and its values always come first.

Thank You, please comment if you want any clarifications or elaborations on the answer.

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