Ethics on the Job by Linda Hatcher
It is easy to state that we all want more ethical workplaces and that as leaders; we want to be the guiding lights in the effort. But defining ethics and how it practically relates to our everyday life is challenging.
In the June issue of Leader Guide Magazine (a free magazine for leaders) we take two approaches that put practicality into the often nebulous concept of “ethics.” In Questions are the Answers to Ethics on the Job, by Linda Hatcher, we shift the focus from making proclamations about ethics to learning to ask the right questions about our unique situations. Questions are the answers each organization seeks in its pursuit of practical ways to do the right things right.(CLICK HERE) to read more.
The second featured article in Leader Guide Magazine is entitled A Three Step Model to Resolve Ethical Dilemmas on the Job ((CLICK HERE). This article provides some valuable insights for every leader who is faced with making difficult decisions that have ethical implications.
The third article is written by Fred A. Manske Jr., the author of Secrets of Effective Leadership – a Practical Guide to Success (CLICK HERE to learn more about this exceptional book). The article is entitled simply, Sample Code of Ethics Statements for Organizations. Compare the statements to those for your organization (if it has a code of ethics). Notice that the statements in the article are very concise and to the point thereby enabling staff members to easily understand and recall them. It has been our experience that far too many organizations have lengthy statements; often encompassing a paragraph or two for each specific code. ((CLICK HERE) to read more.
LEADERSHIP QUOTES:
Defining Ethical Leadership: “If you do not have integrity, you have nothing. You can not buy it. You can have all the money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really have nothing.”- Henry Kravis
“Ethics or simple honesty is the building blocks upon which our whole society is based, and business is a part of our society, and it is integral to the practice of being able to conduct business, that you have a set of honest standards. And it is much easier to do business with someone when you look them in the eye and say, “This is what we are going to do," and you understand what you each mean, and you can go away and get it done.” Kerry Stokes
“We do not think of ourselves as do gooders or altruists. It is just that somehow we are trying our best to be run with some sense of moral compass even in a business environment that is growing” — Craig Newmark
ETHICAL LEADER OF THE MONTH:
Polly Gowers, CEO of Everyclick.com. Polly Gowers is CEO of Britain’s Everyclick.com, which gives away one-half of all advertising revenues to the charity of choice of the advertiser. While looking to expand worldwide, and while there are users from the United States, Gowers says the challenge here is “there are 1.4 million nonprofits to complete against in the U.S.” She has had other challenges in creating the success of her company. “It is pretty tough standing up in a room full of investors and saying you are going to give half of your revenue to charity. It does not sit well alongside equity investors.” Despite the challenges, Gowers does plan to expand her company worldwide.
