Imagine that you did something at work that your team, customers, managers, etc. did not agree with your decision.  How might you expect these individuals to convey their disappointment?

Now imagine that you did something questionable and you’re aware that others are clearly angry with your actions.  The reason for their anger is because it’s alleged that you cheated, lied, and/or tarnished your team’s reputation, organization, or both.  How might you expect these parties to react?

Would it be appropriate for an individual in another department within the organization to take action against you?  What if the action taken by this same individual physically hurt you?  Might it be appropriate for the team, customers, or others to celebrate your pain and/or potential embarrassment?

If your answer is ‘yes’, why might this type of celebration be appropriate?

If your answer is ‘no’, this is sound judgment and I applaud you.

It is never appropriate to celebrate an attack – especially if it causes someone physical pain – just because someone does not agree with another individual’s questionable actions and/or behavior.  Unfortunately, this type of celebration did occur during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

This celebration did happen after Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch from Ryan Dempster.  Immediately after Mr. Rodriguez was hit, some of the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.  This reaction was horrible; although, it’s understandable that some individuals might be troubled by the allegations that Mr. Rodriguez cheated by using performance enhancements and might have also lied.  However, this is not a reason to celebrate Mr. Rodriquez being hit by a pitch and his pain.

​At times, individuals will engage in activities or have behaviors that do not meet individual moral and/or ethical standards.  Notwithstanding, what does this communicate about an individual’s moral standards if an individual will celebrate any attack – physical or not?