The Problem With Teaching Ethics
I have a very good friend who believes that people are basically good. Although I appreciate his positive out look on human beings, it does make me wonder why he, his firm (and many organizations like his), spend so much time talking about ethics and character issues if this is truly their core belief about people.
Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality. Ethics is what we are not and do not naturally possess as human beings. Therefore, we must be taught what we are to become and reinforce that "mantra."
For me, my personal ethical belief includes a theological component which is too involved to discuss now. Since "ETHICS" is not clearly understood, taught in cultural context or environmentally consistent the question becomes "should ETHICS and CHARACTER issues be taught in business settings?" The answer is yes. But...the why and how are important factors to consider. Here is a short list of considerations when embarking on your Ethics/Character Education.
1. I agree with Peter Drucker. "It's not business ethics, it's ethics, period!" You can not separate what you are from work life and personal life.
2. Telling is not teaching or Training. Statements in handbooks and plaques on the wall are good, but that, alone, does not insure people "get it."
3. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Are ethics and character just a knowledge based issue for you or is it a deep seeded part of who and what you are? How does that square with the mission, vision and purpose of your company?
4. From what source do you establish or draw your ethical standard and belief? From your parents, religion, your big brain or from another fragile human being?
5. As a leader of your home or business tell others what you stand for. Part of the problem with our country and businesses is that we have gutless men and women who are more concerned with political correctness instead of moral integrity.
6. Surround yourself with those who have the same conviction as you and your firm. If they do not have it, get rid of them. Help them find a job with the competition.
7. Live your ethical belief. Every day...Every minute of the day...Every business decision.
What's been your experience in Ethics or Character Training?
Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality. Ethics is what we are not and do not naturally possess as human beings. Therefore, we must be taught what we are to become and reinforce that "mantra."
For me, my personal ethical belief includes a theological component which is too involved to discuss now. Since "ETHICS" is not clearly understood, taught in cultural context or environmentally consistent the question becomes "should ETHICS and CHARACTER issues be taught in business settings?" The answer is yes. But...the why and how are important factors to consider. Here is a short list of considerations when embarking on your Ethics/Character Education.
1. I agree with Peter Drucker. "It's not business ethics, it's ethics, period!" You can not separate what you are from work life and personal life.
2. Telling is not teaching or Training. Statements in handbooks and plaques on the wall are good, but that, alone, does not insure people "get it."
3. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Are ethics and character just a knowledge based issue for you or is it a deep seeded part of who and what you are? How does that square with the mission, vision and purpose of your company?
4. From what source do you establish or draw your ethical standard and belief? From your parents, religion, your big brain or from another fragile human being?
5. As a leader of your home or business tell others what you stand for. Part of the problem with our country and businesses is that we have gutless men and women who are more concerned with political correctness instead of moral integrity.
6. Surround yourself with those who have the same conviction as you and your firm. If they do not have it, get rid of them. Help them find a job with the competition.
7. Live your ethical belief. Every day...Every minute of the day...Every business decision.
What's been your experience in Ethics or Character Training?
posted by Bill at
3:35 AM
2 Comments:
Good thoughts.
There does seem to be a consistent moral law that shows up in practically all world religions and virtually every culture.
These common five laws are:
1)Do not kill
2)Do not lie
3)Do not steal
4)Do not practice immorality
5)Respect parents and love children
There is also a common concept in all world religions and basic community ideals:
• Confucius – “What you yourself do not want, do not do to another person.”
• Immanuel Kant- “So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other…as an end withal, never as a means only.”
• Buddhism- “Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.”
• Islam- “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
• Judaism- “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.”
• Christianity- “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
We know this last one ast the Golden Rule, the only one that truly states it in a positive sense.
With these ideals in place we can talk about ethics for some really practical reasons: the form the filter by which we make the really tough decisions. But when you employ this filter with these "values" and ethical laws, you can be sure that it will ultimately be a wise decision, and when you instill them, as Bill has outlined above, you can, as the owners and executives entrusting decsions to your managers, be certain that they are making the decsions that you would make.
The important thing is to have the "guts" as Bill puts it, to conduct the training, but more importantly model the character.
You can also add stories to your list. It's important to tell and retell the stories of how people in your company made wise ethical choices. The stories will endure and reinforce the ethic you are seeking to engender.
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