Related Dilemmas:

When Somebody Else’s Right-versus-Wrong Decision puts you in a Right-versus-Right Dilemma

How to deal with a dishonest co-worker.

A Lack of Outrage

A young professional tries to understand management’s casual viewpoint in the face of unethical dealings.

Unaware That You’re Unemployed

Mary is put in the awkward situation of telling her supervisor he’s been let go.

Economy or Ecology

A young man weighs the importance of a steady paycheck against a healthy environment.

In Defense of Due Process

When is furthering your organization’s mission the wrong thing to do?

Archive IconView all dilemmas

A Runner-up’s Request

The SMN Corporation has enjoyed a great growth spurt in the past three years. Because of increased sales, the CEO decides to create a new director level position. The position requires extensive business expertise, an understanding of the SMN Corporation's industry, and exemplary interpersonal skills.

Two candidates remain after the final interviews: John, an external candidate with a sound business background, and Mary, a candidate from within the company, who also has the required skills. After due consideration, the Vice President for Human Resources decides to offer the position to John. John considers the offer for several days, but ultimately declines the position.

The Vice President then meets with Mary, and offers her the position. Upon hearing the offer, Mary pauses. She looks the VP straight in the eye and asks, "Was the job offered to the other candidate first?"

How should the vice president respond?

Read more dilemmas: Business Dilemmas

Note: This and other dilemmas on this site come to you without their real-life resolutions.  We encourage you to think for yourself about how you might resolve them, since the nature of each dilemma is highly individualistic.  In sharing these dilemmas, we do not endorse them in any way, but rather offer them for your consideration.