Why your Organization may need an Ethics Consultant.

Why an ethics consultant? Here are a few considerations.     You need someone who sees things differently, looks through a different set of glasses at situations and issues.   You need someone who is a subject matter expert specifically trained in Ethics, Philosophy, etc. just as a compliance professional has extensive training for his/her…

Are these your ethical issues?

In an article by Anne Federwisch on the Ethical Issues in the Financial Services Industry, she refers to the research of Ronald F.Duska and James Mitchell. It seems that these 5 issues can be the same issues in any number of industries. Here they are:   1.Self-interest sometimes morphs into greed and selfishness.    2.Some…

What is a “right” decision?

When we are faced with those ambiguous choices where the “right” path is unclear or will produce some painful consequences, where do we turn? If our company has a code of conduct or mission statement, we can look at that and ask, “If I am living up to this credo, what will I do?” However,…

Refrain from using the terms “right” and wrong” because……………………………….

These terms tend to be seen as very subjective, i.e. according to whom is something right or wrong, who says so, “this has nothing to do with me” attitude and so what, etc. Rather use these phrases. What is negotiable and what is not negotiable and why. What is acceptable and what is not acceptable…

The ROI on your compliance and ethics training would be …………

difficult to ascertain. Why? Because no matter the type, the format, the theories, the law, its interpretation, etc. it’s all about decreasing the odds of something happening, with no guarantees. All the compliance training a company provides, can’t guarantee obedience , proper behavior or full understanding of all that is law. It’s all about odds.…

Ethics, “ripples” and price to pay!

Over the years as an ethics expert and speaker, I have tried to find an analogy that would help my clients understand the importance of discernment before making those tough decisions. It was while watching some kids throw rocks in a pond that I finally came to this realization and example. Decision making is like…

If ethics is not a priority, why should someone work for you?

  I have been suggesting to job seekers that one of the first things to ask a prospective employer is for their code of ethics. If they can’t produce one, think twice about any possible job offer. Why? Because if a company can’ tell you what their values are, how they are implemented, how ongoing…

How prevalent is “Us and Them” ethics model ?

I had a 3 hour afternoon ethical leadership program booked for a company in New York, so I arrive early in the day to meet, greet and spend time on a tour of the corporate headquarters. I met with a middle level manager who was my contact and she took me for a tour of,…

Unintended consequences: excuses or justifications?

  I read an ethics article this week and the term “unintended consequences” was used in regards to being a result of decision making. This concept intrigued me to think further on it. If something is an “unintended consequence” of a decision, does it make any less important or vital? Was it unintended because one…

Moral hypocrisy: a serious issue?

“Moral hypocrisy is when one’s evaluations of their own moral transgressions differ substantially from their evaluations of the same transgressions committed my others.” Ann Tenbrunsel and Max Bazerman This a case of don’t do as I do, but do as I say. I love the concept of moral hypocrisy, and yet it seems so prevalent.…