In Chapter 1, Gentile introduces the concept of voicing and acting on values in the workplace through an approach grounded in enabling individuals to align their actions with their values. Instead of focusing on moral persuasion or pushing against external pressures, she suggests an approach that builds confidence and skills to act on values effectively, with minimal conflict. Gentile compares her own method to Eastern philosophies or martial arts, where one moves with the momentum rather than against it.

She presents the idea of a “thought experiment” where readers are invited to consider how they would voice their values if they chose to do so. Performing such an exercise allows them to bypass the typical rationalizations and arguments that often arise when faced with ethical challenges in real time. Through this process, individuals create a space for experimentation and develop scripts and strategies for real-life values-based action. This chapter outlines twelve foundational assumptions that underpin this approach, aiming to encourage the reader to imagine acting on their values as preparation for real-world situations.

Gentile presents the first assumption—that most people want to voice and act on their values in the workplace. She argues that focusing on those who do not wish to behave ethically can be counterproductive.