Can You Tell Right From Wrong?
Understanding what is right and wrong should be the foundation of our education, morality, social norms, and laws. In theory, we should always be able to tell the difference. But in reality… can we?
Not always.
That’s why we need stories. Literature, theater, and films help us see right and wrong more clearly. We need heroes too—role models who put the well-being of others ahead of their own interests. Stories and heroes don’t just entertain us; they reconnect us with something deeper, something we already know but sometimes forget.
That’s why we love stories and heroes: They remind us of what truly matters.
When Right and Wrong Become Blurry
The problem is, we don’t always see things clearly. Right and wrong don’t come with a label. There are toxic forces and actors that work—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not—to distort our sense of what’s right. They use two tools:
1. Confusion – We are presented with narratives that sound reasonable, logical, even convenient. But convenience doesn’t always mean truth.
2. Fear – Fear makes us hesitate when we should act. It divides us, making us suspicious of those around us instead of working together.
We live in complicated times. Many people feel lost. Politics, the media, and the workplace seem to be filled with contradictions.
So How Do We Cut Through The Noise?
Start with this: Look at the impact. Are people thriving, or are they suffering?
Then, ask: Where is that suffering coming from?
The Workplace as a Battleground for Ethics
As a business psychologist, I have a front-row seat to something that doesn’t make the headlines: The ethical struggles happening every day in the corporate world.
Those who challenge toxic behavior are often silenced, while those who enable it are rewarded.
Many see their jobs as just a paycheck, rather than a way to create something meaningful.
Companies measure success in financial terms, but rarely in terms of human impact.
Money is a tool, not a purpose. When profit becomes the only goal, something shifts—decisions are made that prioritize short-term gains over long-term well-being. That’s when the line between right and wrong starts to blur.
Strong leaders understand this. They remind their teams, over and over again, why they are really here: to create something valuable, to solve real problems, to make life better in some way.
When Leadership Goes Wrong
Unfortunately, not all leaders think this way. Some rise to power by using fear and confusion to their advantage. They see success as a zero-sum game—where for them to win, others must lose. They are threatened by others’ achievements because deep down, they fear being exposed as inadequate.
Here’s a truth investors and business owners should know: People want more than just products—they want trust, inspiration, and meaning.
If you want true success, hire people who lead with integrity. The right leaders don’t just build profitable companies; they build lasting ones.
My Mission: A Workplace Where People Thrive
My work is about making organizations places where people can grow and succeed—not just survive. I do this in two ways:
1. Helping those who suffer under bad leadership—supporting professionals dealing with stress, burnout, and loss of confidence.
2. Championing ethical leadership—working to ensure that the right people rise to the top, those who build others up rather than tearing them down.
Titles, wealth, and intelligence are not what define a person’s impact. What matters is how they use them.
A simple way to judge leadership is to ask:
Are people thriving under their influence, or are they struggling?
A Call to Action
If you see things happening around you that don’t feel right, act.
First, take care of yourself.
Second, take care of the rest. Don’t wait for a good leader to step up. He or she may never come. That good leader might be you.
If you want to change things, I’m here to help.
Carmen Lopez. Business Psychology