Guiding Moral Behavior Through a Reflective Learning Practice

Abstract

Reflective learning practice embedded across the business curriculum is a powerful way to equip students with intentionally formed moral habits of the mind and heart. This article explores why and how to apply reflective learning to the teaching of business ethics. To act with integrity in complicated work organizations, students need skills and practices that recognize emotional, intuitive, and social moral influences. Actively engaging in reflections designed to deepen self-awareness primes students to turn deliberately to the purpose they want to bring to their organizational lives. Moreover, by critically and openly reflecting with others, they better understand how to manage the cultural and social complexities needed to act with moral courage. Suggestions for using reflective learning practice to support moral action are offered, and I outline examples of how to add both personal and collective ethical reflection to a management course. The challenges and implications of creating a moral reflective learning practice are discussed.