Every time you turn around these days someone in a position of responsibility is getting chastised or, in worst case scenarios, arrested for an ethics violation of some kind. Our latest debacle, of course, is that of the former holder of the 50th Congressional District seat. Thus, it would appear that no one is immune to the iron fist even at the highest levels of authority.
In the recent past, ethics was normally taught in college philosophy classes. If a student didn't relish the idea of taking a history or religion class, they seldom had hard core teachings on ethics. Today that is not the case.
I have a large library of business books; one in particular written by Norm Augustine, the former CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. I believe he has a nice approach to the topic of ethics in the workplace.
He starts his chapter on ethics with this quote: "Nine times out of 10, doing the right thing turns out also to be the smart thing." Boy is he correct.
He asks, "What does ethics mean?" In his answer he quotes former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart.
"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is the right thing to do." However, some people, he points out, say that if it is legal, it's ethical.
Another example of Norm's is from the French writer Francois La Rochefoucauld who described ethics as, 'doing without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on."
Out of all those wonderful truths, Norm gives his own homespun definition: "Ethics is being unafraid to give your pet parrot to the town gossip." He also offers this check list for us to keep in mind:
Is it legal?
If someone else did this to you, would you think it was fair?
Would you like it if what you were doing were to appear on the front page of your hometown newspaper?
Would you be proud if your mother were to see you doing this?
Robert Fulghum in his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wasted few words in laying out his rules for ethical living.
Play fair.
Share.
Don't hit people.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Say you're sorry when you hurt someone.
Pretty simple stuff don't you think?
In today's competitive world there is always a place for the ethics code of conduct. When you want to compete don't cheat. Cutting corners is like cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you want fairness and ethical conduct then set the example for your customers and employees alike. Remember there is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience. While the road to success is always under construction don't run into a minefield along the way.
In the recent past, ethics was normally taught in college philosophy classes. If a student didn't relish the idea of taking a history or religion class, they seldom had hard core teachings on ethics. Today that is not the case.
I have a large library of business books; one in particular written by Norm Augustine, the former CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. I believe he has a nice approach to the topic of ethics in the workplace.
He starts his chapter on ethics with this quote: "Nine times out of 10, doing the right thing turns out also to be the smart thing." Boy is he correct.
He asks, "What does ethics mean?" In his answer he quotes former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart.
"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is the right thing to do." However, some people, he points out, say that if it is legal, it's ethical.
Another example of Norm's is from the French writer Francois La Rochefoucauld who described ethics as, 'doing without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on."
Out of all those wonderful truths, Norm gives his own homespun definition: "Ethics is being unafraid to give your pet parrot to the town gossip." He also offers this check list for us to keep in mind:
Is it legal?
If someone else did this to you, would you think it was fair?
Would you like it if what you were doing were to appear on the front page of your hometown newspaper?
Would you be proud if your mother were to see you doing this?
Robert Fulghum in his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wasted few words in laying out his rules for ethical living.
Play fair.
Share.
Don't hit people.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Say you're sorry when you hurt someone.
Pretty simple stuff don't you think?
In today's competitive world there is always a place for the ethics code of conduct. When you want to compete don't cheat. Cutting corners is like cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you want fairness and ethical conduct then set the example for your customers and employees alike. Remember there is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience. While the road to success is always under construction don't run into a minefield along the way.