What is the first step in ethical competency skills related to decision-making?

The first step in ethical competency skills related to decision-making involves identifying ethical dilemmas. This step is crucial because it sets the stage for the decision-making process. Before you can address ethical issues effectively, it is essential to recognize what those issues are.

By identifying ethical dilemmas, individuals can clarify the specific moral questions or conflicts that need resolution. This understanding allows for more focused analysis and deliberation on how to address the dilemmas effectively. Recognizing these dilemmas helps in framing the decision-making process around ethical considerations and guides the collection and analysis of relevant data.

Data collection and analysis come later, as they support informed decision-making but are contingent upon first understanding the ethical context of the situation. Similarly, foreseeing consequences and recognizing stakeholders are important aspects of the broader decision-making framework that follow the initial step of identifying the ethical dilemmas at hand.