Just Because We Can, Does That Mean We Should?

Earlier this week, we took a tiny vacation to meet up with a loved one and explore a new town. 

On our last full day, we hiked out to a gorgeous waterfall, surrounded by lush green. 

On one side of the waterfall, in addition to the lush green, was a row of accommodations built into the hillside, just feet from the falls. They were shiny and plastic, and they were a stark contrast to the natural beauty of the area. 

My curiosity got the best of me, which led me to a deep dive of the Google reviews. Perhaps as expected, the reviews were completely split —countless 5-star reviews from people who had stayed there, with just as many 1-star reviews from hikers and local residents who were appalled by the way in which these accommodations had (from their perspective) ruined the natural beauty of the area, in the name of profit.

As we discussed among the three of us, we surfaced two truths:

• Truth #1: presumably, the accommodations were built on private property, meaning yes, they were allowed.

• Truth #2: the accommodations did massively shift the experience of the area and take away from the natural beauty.

The question we landed on was:

"Just because we can, does that mean we should?"

I can't help but think about the ways in which this question will continue to arise for companies and leaders in the era of AI. . . at this very moment in time, where we can have our very own AI-powered friend for the low cost of $99 with no subscription fees. 

Or, where we can lay off 30% of our workforce —effective immediately—to “improve our numbers.” 

"Just because we can, does that mean we should?"

One way to answer this question is to come back to values:

• What is important?

• What do we believe in?

• What do we stand for?

• What matters most?

I suspect these questions will be more important than ever as we move through continually unprecedented times. 

Reflections

• What are our values?

• What matters?

• What is most important? 

• Just because we can, does that mean we should? 

• What is in the highest good for all involved?