Over the Thanksgiving holiday I had an interesting discussion with a mortgage lender and an economist about the 2008 banking industry collapse. Part of the discussion was around culpability and responsibility. In another conversation that week with a management consultant friend, we shared our frustration that institutions and systems are hard to change as organizational culture and corporate norms are deeply entrenched.
While whole systems of incentives, accountability, and market demand were responsible for the global banking collapse, business ethics and corporate citizenship ultimately comes down to personal decision making. To avoid such disasters in the future, fraud and greed have to be kept at bay. Each person must know the line over which they simply will not cross.
Where’s Your Ethical Line?
When I did on-boarding in my previous job, I talked to the new hires about their personal business ethics. I told them to get clear what values and principles they simply were not willing to sacrifice for their jobs. If they weren’t clear where that line is prior to starting their job, it would only get more fuzzy and confusing once they were in it. With pressure from a boss, customer, or co-workers to perform and conform, doing the right thing becomes even more challenging.
I offer this video below with some stories of people who knew where their ethical line was and what they weren’t willing to do for money.
Take some time to think through what you are and are not willing to do to save your job, please a boss, satisfy a customer, fit into your company, or make others look good. In the end, it is only your own conscience that you have to live with every night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW_7BEb1VCw&feature=plcp
To learn more about aligning your values with your work, read my book “Path for Greatness”.
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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.
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Linda J. Ferguson, Ph.D. is an author, coach, and seminar leader serving as a guide for your wholeness and authenticity in work and life.
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Janae Bower of FindingIt is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and training consultant who helps others get to the heart of what matters most.
Linda Ferguson wrote the book "Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work" and has presented workshops around the country on aligning our gifts, passion and purpose.