Abstract:

Aristotle said that virtuous action consists of doing the right thing in the right amount at the right time and place with the right others in the right way for the right reason. Aristotle’s formula for virtuous action can be summarized as consisting of six elements: Timing, Others, Manner, Motive, Amount and Situation—the TOMMAS principle. The ancient Greeks believed that behavior guided by and in accord with these six elements constituted virtuous action, what we today think of as excellence. Leadership and management training often focuses on one or more of these elements of excellence but they are not typically considered as a whole. Nor are their interrelationships often articulated. For example, the right thing can be done at the wrong time and often is. It can also be done in the wrong place or situation. Also, the right thing can be and often is delegated to the wrong people or team so that its effective and efficient execution is undermined or hampered. it often happens as well that the right thing can be done for the wrong reason or motive which undermines leadership’s authenticity. Most of us have also experienced cases where the right thing is done or said in the wrong way or manner, undermining the goodwill behind it. Of course, there is too, the often heard criticism that the right thing was done or carried out to excess, a good thing taken too far. This paper summarizes Aristotle’s six elements of virtuous action as the TOMMAS principle and explains each element of this virtuous action paradigm and suggests the synergy made possible by their interrelations.

The TOMMAS principle is a useful summary of and guide for executive action, an easy way for leadership to be mindful of the quality of decision-making.

Keywords:

Leadership development, management training.