Those entrusted with leadership – whatever their field – bear a special responsibility to uphold the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct, both publicly and privately.
Billy Graham, evangelist
The line between right and wrong seems to have become blurry. Ethics is basically doing the right thing. We all believe in this motherhood. The problem is that ethics and integrity are sometimes perceived as something apart from business. Business for many is ‘dog eat dog’ or Darwinian. While this may be true, the risks and exposure from ethical lapses can be huge.
Expediency for the last few years seems to have become the rule of business. However, the risk of an ethical lapse is much higher. Ethical lapses such as sexual harassment, pollution, or product defects may cost a company millions of dollars. Governance and transparence risks can result in reputational loss.
Business logic (the head) is sometimes at war with organizational values (the heart). Logic should dictate that things get done right on time. Values should show us how the right things should get done right. The problem is that doing the right thing may take longer and cost more. Time and cost risks must balance against ethical risks.
Should a leader be held accountable to a higher standard of moral and ethical conduct than their employees should? This is a compelling question that is raising suspicion, fear, and hackles of many in the workplace and in government. The courts have said the same thing in terms of sexual harassment and bias. No one should be immune.
Life Lesson Earned: Work is now more than a meal ticket. For many of us, it’s becoming a calling, a higher form of endeavor. As a result, more of us want to align our personal principles with whom we work. Work becomes more of an extension of our lives involving rewards, relationships, spiritual values, and yes even a surrogate family.