PRACTICAL ETHICS:
FOUR PATHS TO GREATER VIRTUE
by
Frank Bucaro, CSP, CPAE
It is no surprise to me that, in this day of comprised ethics and values,
there is an ever increasing number of books and articles highlighting
the importance of ethics and values in everyday life.
Ethics, ethical behavior, and taking personal responsibility for choices
are even more important in business today. It is with this in mind, that
I would like to share with you a few reflections on ethics to help us all
maintain that high standard of thought and behavior.
To help guide us along that route, here are four ideas for your
consideration.
1. WHAT IS THE COMMON GOOD,AND WHAT ROLE DOES IT
PLAY IN OUR DECISION MAKING?
In all of our businesses, this question needs some consideration.
Generally speaking, what is good for the “other”, whether it be our
customer, staff, spouse, family, etc., takes precedence over our own
needs and wants.
I think we all would agree that sometimes, in business, egos take
precedence over good business practices, and good relationship
building, and overall. Can get in the way of truly being of service.
We need to ask whether we are in business for ourselves, or to take
our gift and talents to the workplace and in the spirit of service –try to
make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
When our ego (i.e. needs) gets in the way of that service, the common
good no longer is served. And as in any business, word spreads – and
how do we fight a damaged reputation?
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to be truly “other focused” as
a key factor in maintaining your ethical balance. Whether it is amongst
ourselves, as business professionals, or in dealing with our customers,
staff, etc., this question needs to be asked, “What can I do for you to
get you to cooperate with me?”
This simple question reflects the age old saying that life is in the
giving, not in the getting, and to the degree to give is to the degree
you get. One can never go wrong in putting other people’s feelings,
needs, and concerns ahead of our own. This concept of the common
good needs some consideration before a decision is made.
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNAL WISDOM
It seems to be in business today, we sometimes tend to be too
narrowly focused to see a bigger picture. There is a tendency, at
times, to see our way as the only way or our approach as the only
approach. It seems necessary, if you’re ever uncertain whether
something you want to do is ethical, appropriate, or acceptable, to find
colleagues, friends, etc. who you know are “for you” and bounce your
choices off them.
We need to have people around us who have no other agenda than to
do what’s right for us. Whether we agree or not, that type of advice is
invaluable in helping to discern which path to follow.
We need to be open to their perspectives, their honesty, and their
genuine concern for us and our success. Any number of ethical issues,
questions, and situations could be easily resolved by “tapping” the
wisdom of those who have your best interest at heart. It certainly will
cut the “learning curve” and keep you on task and better focused.
If you think about it, a number of us could have saved ourselves a lot
of pain, agony, money, time, and effort, if we’d only asked for others
input and used it!
3. STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR VALUES
Let it be stated up front that this statement is not to be interpreted as
what I think and feel are always right or can be justified; but rather,
we are the sum total of all that has gone before us in our lives. All the
people, experiences, relationships, etc., that have been influential in
the development of our value system, are part of us and need to be
taken into account in our decision making.
Whether the influences were religious, ethnic, political, or cultural,
they play a key role in the development of who we are as individuals,
not to mention business people.
That journey of life to this point instilled in us perceptions, attitudes,
values and insights that have directed us as individuals and have been
instrumental in the building of our businesses.
If that journey has been on of positive influence, we must stay true to
it. However, if our journey has had some negative influences, we will
be challenged to discern whether that’s the path we want to follow, or
we need an attitude check that may lead us to a more productive path.
In general, we must stay true to the essence of those values, even
though the variables may change. For example, the Constitution of the
United States is the essence of law; how it is applied or amended is
the variable. All businesses need a code of Ethics for the same reason.
People need to know “ the essence” in order to be able to apply it.
Everyone speaks their truth, but that doesn’t make it “The Truth.” We
need to be in touch with our own values and yet be open to the fact
that they are not absolute and need, at times, to be open to
reevaluation –and maybe a new direction.
4. BEWARE OF THE ETHICS GAP
What is the ethics gap? The gap is what I know is right from wrong
and I think it takes to be successful. Most people know right from
wrong; however, when it comes to business, sometimes compromising
those values can become a real “temptation.”
This gap is present in any situation, especially business. It’s involved
in how we work with customers, colleagues, staff, and even family.
Everyone knows somebody that they prefer not to do business with or
refer business to on the basis of what’s important to them. The real
challenge is to lessen the size of the gap rather than hope to eradicate
it altogether. How do we do that?
People need to align their work values and principles with their
personal values and principles and proceed accordingly.
However, we can choose a negative or a positive path to follow, based
on whatever our values are and the effect those choices have on those
around us.
People must go slowly in analyzing their values and ethics, and then
must choose well which path to follow.
If we keep these four “paths” in mind for reflection when faced with an
ethical and conflicting situation, they can’t help but help us get pointed
in the right direction to help us make the best possible decision.