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 BUSINESS ETHICS GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES

Home > Ethics Is Displayed In Everything That You Do - Everything Counts

Question: When it comes to business ethics, which activities, functions, decisions and behaviors are really important?

Answer: All of them!

No, that's not a smart aleck answer. It is an accurate answer. Everything you do defines if you are ethical.

Think about it. When is it okay to be unethical? The answer is NEVER! What are the parts of your job - and your human interactions - to which fairness, honesty, respect, and "doing right" don't apply? THERE ARE NONE! Ethics is not a sometimes thing. It's an all the time thing - and it's reflected in everything you do. There are no time outs, no "too small to matter" issues, no "too busy to do it" excuses, no "too low on the hierarchy to make a difference" people. As noted in previous articles: Everyone is responsible ... everything counts!

With those realities in mind, the next several weekly articles will provide you with a series of principles, strategies and behaviors for enhancing your personal ethics profile. You'll find a mixture of ideas - applicable to everyone - that address general business dealings, human interactions, customer service, and quality.

As you read this information, reflect on your own behavior. Congratulate yourself on the things you're already doing and renew your commitment to continue doing them. More importantly, note those things you need to work on ... the areas where you have the greatest opportunities to make ethical improvements. Once you've identified them, start fixing them.

1. Honor Your Promises and Commitments.
   And that starts by keeping track of them. Set up a "What I Said I'd Do" section in your day planner or personal organizer, or in a small notebook. Record every commitment you make. Check the list daily as a reminder.

2. Do Your Business "In The Open."
   Unless it involves strategic, company-confidential information, do your business in a way that it is not hidden from those around you. Use this to set an ethics example for co-workers. If you're comfortable "going public" with your actions and decisions, the chances are good that you're operating in an ethical manner.

3. Pursue Compatible or " ... In A Way That ... " Solutions.
   When determining how you will approach tasks or what decisions you will make, ask yourself. "How can I do this in a way that is in line or compatible with the organizational mission, values, and business principles?" Make that caveat a regular part of your action-planning vocabulary.

4. Watch Out For "The Big Four:"
   
   • GREED - the drive to acquire or possess more and more in one's self-interest;
   • SPEED - the motivation to cut corners in response to the speed the pace of business;
   • LAZINESS - taking the easy path of least effort and resistance;
   • HAZINESS - acting and reacting without thinking.

   These are primary factors leading to unethical behavior. And they're all temptations that must be fought.

5. Eliminate Offensive Words and Comments From Your Vocabulary.
   Simply put: Watch your mouth! Derogatory terms and off-color jokes have no place at work. They're degrading and unethical, and they can have legal repercussions. The words you use, and the jokes you tell, say a lot more about you than the people you're referring to.

For more ethics articles visit the George S May Blog for weekly updates.

This information is compiled and provided by George S. May International Company.
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