While it has not always been the case in the last few decades, "ethical practice" and "professional integrity" are terms written in many newspapers and blogs, as well as concepts on many people's minds. It is not hard to imagine why...the dot.com bust, Enron, Worldcom, Wall Street and the economic crisis of 2008, the house and mortgage instructries, bank bailouts, corporate automotive CEOs and their corporate jets, rising oil prices, and home foreclosures. The list could continue, but this blog has limited space.
In a postmodern world where the plurality of society and diversity of human nature is accepted, and the subjectivity of human knowledge is embraced, "ethics" and "norms" was seen as being out of reach, unobtainable. Form some, even outdated. But, the current situation has shown that ethics and values are needed for "unbounded individualism" and an extreme focus on "personal profit and benefit" can easily result in the llack of caring for how one's wants, decisions, and actions impact others, as well as excessive greed and the loss of seeking the common good of others.
Business issues and organizational practices that lack integrity often lead to new laws and/or governement regulations. The creation of the sarbanes oxley act and it regulations after the dot-com bust is a good example.
So, what is ethics in today's diverse and complex world? More specifically, how can businesses and organizations operate with integrity and not harm their employees, customers, vendors, local communities, and the environment? How can organizations function and be profitable while ensuring that all organizational stakeholders are respected and treated justly? What are the professional standards that business women and men need to hold, and be accountable to? What is sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and how can they be authentically practiced? How can entreprenuers be ambitious and seek their dreams while working for the benefit of the common good?
None of these questions have single answers. There are various ways to approach each. Some answers will be complementary, while others opposite ends of the spectrum. A key point, though, is to actively begin to clarify or form one's own ethical viewpoint and sence of professional integrity.
Ethics is an emotional topic, and often feels like a very personal issue. Discussions about the nature of ethics or the ethics of a business practice, social issue, government ruling, or professional decision are often heated, with participants differing on how they understand what is ethical and what is ethical in this particular situation.
A starting point in defining one's own understanding of ethics is that to be ethical it will cost one something. Second, ethics is not about "everything being OK " if one believes it to be right or good. Third, ethical decision making is not about personal opinions.
So, what does it mean to be an "ethical person"? What makes a decision or action "right or wrong," "good or bad"? Why do you believe this?
What is the difference between "what is good" or "the good" and "what is right"?
What cost will you pay to be ethical? How do you make ethical decisions? What standards do you both aspire to and hold yourself to? How do you know when you are acting responsible as a professional?
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I once had a teacher that explained to me what made an ethical person and it has stuck with me ever since. He told me a story about a student in his ethics class that had done very well all semester long. He turned in his work, came to class, and wrote excellent papers, an “A” student by definition. One day the teacher had a girl come in to his office, her head down, and eyes close to tears, and she asked him “How can you give this man an A in ethics when he has plead guilty to raping me?”. Not knowing what to say he tried to explain to the distraught girl that knowing ethics and being ethical are two different things.
ReplyDeleteIt was after hearing this story that I came to my conclusions of what an ethical person was. To me an ethical person it’s not only talking the talk but walking the walk. There are many different points of view, philosophies and types of ethics. But understanding your own ethical values and applying them even in the hardest of times, to me, is what makes a person ethical. Although I don’t always agree with other people’s points of view and decision making I respect a person if they are consistent with those values. In a business setting I feel that a person of authority should have clear cut principles and all of those who work under this person should be informed of these principles. An employee should be able to know exactly what they are working for and have a good idea of what cause and effect will happen after each action.
I cannot define, in general, what is good and right. I know what my stance on good and right is, and others might feel differently. I hope that with more education and personal experience that the majority of others will come close to what I believe making it the norm but until then I can only control what I am allowed to.
My personal belief is that being ethical may cost you a lot of money but in the end you gain dignity, pride, and happiness. I aspire to being an open book, letting all those that work for me know my intentions and hope that they believe in it to. I want my employees to feel as self fulfilled as I am because, to me, they are the ones that will hold me responsible as a professional.
Great posting Christina!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the story. An “A” student is necessary an ethical person; an “A” student who is simply doing well in school. In many cases we view good students as good citizens with good ethics and values. But what is good? In the book, Ethics, stated that what is considered morally right (good) and wrong (bad) varies from society to society, so that there are no universal moral standards held by all societies.
I agree with you that an ethical person should 'walking the walk' by believing in his or her ethical values and do not compromise them in difficult situations.
Zlata Nicol Becker
As I read Christina's anecdote above and think back to our Ethics book, I'm noticing the conflict between disparate levels of intellect and the practice of ethics. John Stuart Mill argued that the quest for a higher, distinguished intellect is necessary to achieve happiness and contribute positively to the human experience. Clearly, this is not the case in the example of the Straight-A Ethics Criminal. Also this is not the case for Ted Bundy, an intelligent being who manipulated ethical philosophies to allow for his own sadistic behavior.
ReplyDeleteEthics is not a cut and dry subject, nor is it easily digestible. As I start to ponder my own ethical stance, I am drawn to the idea of adjusting my ethical position to the situation as it unravels--as it stands, this is a very undeveloped stance, filled with holes and vulnerable to criticism--still life it is not black and white, and it's impossible to attribute a single philosophy to the millions of varying events.
-Elise