Complicit: How We Enable the Unethical and How to Stop

Complicit by Harvard Business School professor Max Bazerman challenges the pervasive human tendency to enable wrongdoing in the workplace, politics, and beyond. He offers strategies for recognizing and avoiding the psychological and other traps that lead us to ignore, condone, or actively support wrongdoing. The book describes seven different behavioral profiles that can lead to complicity and offers concrete and detailed solutions for individuals, leaders, and organizations to prevent complicity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The pervasive human tendency to enable wrongdoing in the workplace, politics, and beyond is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While it is easy to condemn obvious wrongdoers such as Elizabeth Holmes, Harvey Weinstein, and the Sackler family, it is equally important to recognize the many people who supported their unethical or criminal behavior. In each case, there was a supporting cast of complicitors, including business partners, employees, investors, news organizations, and others. Whether we are aware of it or not, almost all of us have been complicit in the unethical behavior of others.

In his book "Complicit," Harvard Business School professor Max Bazerman confronts our complicity head-on and offers strategies for recognizing and avoiding the psychological and other traps that lead us to ignore, condone, or actively support wrongdoing. The book tells compelling stories of those who enabled the Theranos and WeWork scandals, the opioid crisis, the sexual abuse that led to the #MeToo movement, and the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack. It describes seven different behavioral profiles that can lead to complicity in wrongdoing, ranging from true partners to those who unknowingly benefit from systemic privilege, including white privilege.

Complicit also offers concrete and detailed solutions for preventing complicity. By challenging the notion that a few bad apples are responsible for society's ills, the book implicates us all and offers a path to creating a more ethical world. One of the key insights of the book is that we are all susceptible to the same psychological and social traps that lead to complicity. These traps include a sense of belonging, a desire to be liked, a fear of standing out, and a belief in the goodness of others.

To avoid these traps, Bazerman suggests that individuals, leaders, and organizations should prioritize empathy, accountability, and transparency. He encourages us to listen to the voices of those who have been marginalized and to challenge our own biases and assumptions. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of ethical behavior that values integrity, respect, and responsibility.

Another important aspect of preventing complicity is holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions. This requires a robust legal and regulatory framework that punishes those who engage in wrongdoing. It also requires a willingness to speak out against unethical behavior and to report it to the appropriate authorities.

In conclusion, the pervasive human tendency to enable wrongdoing in the workplace, politics, and beyond is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. By recognizing our complicity, challenging our own biases and assumptions, and prioritizing empathy, accountability, and transparency, we can work towards creating a more ethical world. Complicit is a valuable resource for individuals, leaders, and organizations seeking to prevent complicity and promote ethical behavior.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 149 x 226 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691236544