A634.7.4.RB - Ethics and Behaviors

A634.7.4.RB - Ethics and Behaviors

Ethics and portraying our values is not only important in our personal lives but also our professional lives, because like any open system, one feeds back into the other. Two interesting, but brief videos outline the ideas of ethical behavior and the costs in which it can have when we make a departure from our best behaviors. At first it can seem rather innocent, but isn’t one action a possible gateway into another?

Bruce Weinstein presented his ideas on ethical intelligence by asking his audience to participate in his theory on ethics. (Weinstein, 2012) There were various people in the audience who indicated that they would stay home so others would not catch their illness, others who said that would go to work and avoid others, and yet others who indicated a willingness to go to work with the plan of infecting those they did not like. He believed that some type of framework could be used in order to make ethical choices. He pointed out that many people want to bring out the best in others, and control their anger. He made an additional point by asking a couple people from the audience to come up and receive a standing ovation from his audience. He asked the people in the audience to identify what changes they saw in the two audience members who received the applause.  It was obvious that these two people had smiles on their faces. It is true that people want to be valued, and appreciated, for what they do each day. Being appreciated makes people feel good about the person they are, and that they can make a difference in how other people choose to behave. When they feel good, it shows in their body language.

          

It is apparent that people work many hours, and when they do not feel appreciated, it affects morale and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction and morale, in turn, impact productivity. I believe that people also learn vicariously, which means that they can learn behaviors just by observing others. I believe that positive attitudes that can result from being valued can be contagious. Weinstein also identifies with his audience as a dynamic speaker, who involves his audience. He has them provide the standing ovation, and commit to helping others feel appreciated. His style of rapport and audience buy-in encouraged his audience to take action.

Chuck Gallagher subscribe to a theory that can keep you out of prison, T.he Unethical Continuum. (Gallagher, 2013) We all tend to look at ethics very analytically, but that doesn’t generally recognize the human component that comes into play. The big question is, what causes ethical people to make unethical choices? It’s not an intellectual issue. It’s an emotional issue.

From an employer perspective, the need issue comes down to recognizing that as human beings we have needs, and being alert to symptoms. For example, if you’re working within a company and a particular person keeps getting calls from creditors, that’s a pretty clear indication there’s something financially amiss. There’s a need. Be aware. I have had this situation at work.

If there’s a need, the question is, how am I going to solve it? This is where corporate or organizational systems come into play. If my systems are weak, and for whatever reason I don’t recognize the need, that probably means there’s some opportunity somewhere for someone to ford the system and take advantage of doing something that’s unethical. So companies need to create systems to reduce opportunity.

At my current job I have two codes that I must adhere to The Boeing Code of Conduct and The Boeing Engineering Code. Both outlines expected behaviors for all Boeing employees. Boeing will conduct its business fairly, impartially, in an ethical and proper manner, in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and consistent with the Boeing values.

Works Cited

Gallagher, C. (2013, January 27). Business Ethics Keynote Speaker - Chuck Gallagher - shares Straight Talk about Ethics! Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUJ00vNGCPE

Weinstein, B. (2012, August 24). Keynote Speech Excerpts from The Ethics Guy. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLxbHBpilJQ