Throughout her book, Gentile presents an argument that individuals in professional settings often know the right course of action when faced with ethical dilemmas but are hindered by a range of barriers—personal, organizational, and societal. The thesis of her work is that while many people want to act ethically, they encounter internal and external obstacles that prevent them from doing so. By framing these barriers as both psychological and systemic, Gentile establishes her goal of equipping readers with strategies to overcome them.

Gentile introduces the theme by defining common barriers to ethical action and presenting specific strategies to overcome them. She begins with the concept of “reasons and rationalizations” (170), a significant psychological barrier, which is often used to justify unethical behavior. By acknowledging and confronting these justifications, Gentile suggests individuals can better prepare themselves to respond effectively. In Chapter 8, Gentile emphasizes the importance of pre-scripting—anticipating common rationalizations and practicing responses in advance—shoring up their ability to voice their values when confronted with ethical conflicts. This tactic draws on Gentile’s insight that people often freeze when faced with unexpected dilemmas, but pre-scripting can reduce that anxiety and empower them to act decisively.