The desire to succeed, to excel at all forums, works like a constant pressure, the intense motivation of which can both build and alter our perceptions of the life in and around us. Impressive yet destructive impulses may not present you with a happily ever after all as was depicted by the critically acclaimed Black Swan.
Many small, everyday stories exist that reflect how the presence or absence of personal and professional integrity affects employees. A common nuisance can be the situational fix, wherein the bosses concerned with keeping their clients’ accounts hooked, do not believe in conveying the true versions to them when they have erred on a project. The employee involved in fabricating data for them has his own breadwinning concerns to prioritize before deciding whether the task at hand is unethical.
What defines integrity in the business domain then? According to one chairperson and CEO of a reputed enterprise, a person working professionally should exhibit integrity, intelligence, and energy and that a lack of the first value would automatically make the person dangerous. Integrity, in these terms, can be defined as those ethical and moral principles, which a person works with and places his relationships over. The high, non-negotiable value they have for trust, honor, and honesty above everything is demonstrated in their behavior and judgments even in the unconscious ones.
The Ethical Issues the Business People Face
Business communities in general and individual organizations in particular are abound with a plethora of complex, and yet very much fundamental, ethical problems.
A lack of trust ensues when people begin to conduct business affairs without giving regard to the trust and commitment to making sure every person gets an unbiased treatment. From co-workers to customers, you have to show them that you do take your responsibilities seriously, that you can be relied upon especially if you are in a leadership position, and that there is no harassment to worry about.
You can motivate and encourage them better if you incorporate these values to be their role model. Treating them the way you’d like to be treated more often than not determines your company’s success. If they are diverse, respect that difference and give them due credit for their contributions instead of trying to have them included in the “culture fit”.
Second, honoring your work hours is now looked at with an increasing air of indifference. The use of social media (a separate ethical concern in itself), the frequent texting, and snack breaks are minor activities that allow one to steal the time from their employer while not having to maintain continuous focus on your work responsibilities.
Inculcating in others and owing to be honorable yourself should also cover abiding by the workplace regulations. There should be zero neglect in following company policies whether it is dealing with clients, recording transactions, dispensing of (toxic) waste, or maintaining equipment, you cannot do away with the company protocol.
Third, it is believed that a person who is completely honest may not effectively work lest survive in the business place. One has to be honest and work beyond personal interests and work goals despite this. Besides the “calling-in-sick” excuses, over-promising and then being unable to meet deadlines and deliver can result in a questionable reputation.
Investors will understate an individual company’s value so as to make a better negotiation, CEOs too will overstate their estimated earnings, and applicants will exaggerate their abilities. Workplace dishonesty also includes incidents of fraud and disclosing any hidden risks for your particular buyer/investor.
Dishonesty for the sake of power without even feeling a bit of remorse may get you instant gratification, may even forge for you a path where you are not caught. However, dishonesty in the simplest of matters is a guarantee that the person is dishonest in many aspects and so it is only a matter of time before it catches up to them and eventually ruins their reputation.
Quoting Peter Koestenbaum, a renowned author and philosopher, “A society that is not built on ethics – on fairness, freedom, and mature hearts and minds – cannot survive for long.” It is not all about personal beliefs but about fairness, reliability, and consistency in doing what is right for all according to the universal standards of modern businesses. And when there is a culture that breeds distrust, you get to deal with alienation and cynicism.
