Ethics bleed into all we do and wherever we do it in our lives. Understanding our individual and organizational compass is critical in leadership. As circumstances evolve and technology expands and tests our limits, what keeps our personal and corporate behaviors in check? Our ethics does that. How we behave when no one is looking is critical for success in any organization but sometimes overlooked or assumed to be a certain way.
When building your mindset and behavioral beliefs, my question is, does your model of mindset and behavior beliefs align with the organization? If not, why? If so, how can you grow and expand it?
What is Ethical Behavior in Business?
Understanding your mission, vision, and values statements require you to apply your sense of ethics and the behaviors you stand for.
This then applied professionally develops your posture and leadership presence. Connecting this to the organization is real work. Connecting others to the organizational mission, vision, and values is even harder, and they may not align.
Good leadership recognizes this situation readily and implements appropriate action: remediation or removal. Otherwise, we risk ethical violations far more readily because our organizational value system is compromised.
The Role of Ethics in Business
When we make excuses and rationalize poor behavior, we begin a flirtation with ethical violations. This becomes a very slippery slope quickly.
"When we make excuses and rationalize poor behavior, we begin a flirtation with ethical violations. This becomes a very slippery slope quickly."
- Jeff Rogers, CPMBC
Often we do not know how we got to the bottom so fast, and this somehow just happens. Later, when we review the situation, we can identify with clarity how it started and why. At the moment, however, this is where this erosion begins. This is usually based on emotional intelligence (EQ) slippage. Justifications based on overwhelm allow us the path of least resistance instead of on lines drawn in the sand. It is easy to identify later.
Remember, not setting moral and behavioral codes can erode trust in any relationship.
Boundaries and Trust
A good understanding of your boundaries as a leader is critical for your success on all levels. To be wishy-washy is to fail, and to stand for bedrock principles is key.
Your ethical behavior is critical in building trust with those you serve. Understanding this notion is what separates the good from the great. How will you better your understanding of ethics and implement it in a better way?
Here is the catch, you must do the work here to earn the desired results. Simply checking the boxes means nothing. Developing a sound strategy and not implementing is futile. To go through the motions means nothing either. To work hard without a good strategy is foolish. Therefore, sound tactical ethical performance is required for success. YES, but there is more!
This thoughtful thinking process is where your internal confidence, gut feelings, and decision-making come from.
In this process, you think through many scenarios and prepare yourself personally, professionally, and organizationally for unexpected and unintended situations!
