Becoming As Ethical As We Think We Are | Morgan Hamel | TEDxYYC

Morgan Hamel begins by recounting Andy Fastow's story, former CFO of Enron, who, despite believing himself ethical, was at the center of a $40-billion scandal. Hamel then shares her own experience, initially judging ethical dilemmas from an outsider's perspective until a personal struggle with infertility and egg donation revealed the complexities of ethical choices when personally invested.

Hamel posits that humans are driven by both moral and self-interested motivations. This mix often prevents us from recognizing the ethical dimensions of our decisions and from acting the way we expect we would. She argues that individuals and corporations struggle to improve ethics because this fundamental aspect is not fully understood, leading to a call for courageously delving into the 'gray areas' of ethics.

Hamel transitions to the fashion industry, explaining how her journey into making her own clothes sparked questions about who made them, leading her to found 'The Garment.' She then illustrates how influencers, consumers, and brands, despite good intentions, often fall short of ethical standards due to self-interest and a failure to recognize ethical implications. Examples include influencers promoting cheap items as luxury, consumers rationalizing sweatshop labor for desirable products, and brands 'size-washing' their commitment to inclusivity.

Hamel explains that 'The Garment' is built on the understanding that ethics isn't black and white. By acknowledging the tension between ethics and self-interest, the company creates a business model that makes ethical choices easier. They sponsor larger patterns for brands to promote inclusivity and connect consumers with discounted, ethically made products, helping both parties align their actions with their values. In its first year, 'The Garment' generated over $1 million in responsible garment sales.

Hamel revisits Fastow's insight: the challenge isn't making people do the right thing, but making them realize they have an ethical decision to make. She reiterates that understanding our self-interest is key. She concludes by sharing the personal resolution of her egg donation journey. By acknowledging her ethical concerns alongside her desire for a child, she, with the help of a friend, drafted rigorous questions for clinics, ensuring both ethical practices and high success rates. This personal 'dive into the gray' ultimately led to the birth of her two daughters.