I’m beginning to think that organizations that are really committed to their ethics, really need to go back to basics by studying the great thinkers on ethics, i.e. Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, as a prerequisite to ethics training. Why you may ask? For two reasons, first, if one doesn’t know the time honored basics of ethics, how can one apply them? Second, most ethics training now seems to be more tied to compliance rather than ethics as a stand alone program.
I envision this being a four hour interactive course highlighting the key concepts of the great thinkers, as their theories apply to the workplace issues. This would be program that would refresh people’s learning on these thinkers or introduce people to them!
If people are educated in the categorical imperative, utilitarianism, virtue, the good life, etc. wouldn’t it provide people with a strong, quality basis for continuing their ethics education?
Like in anything else you learn, you need to know the basics before you can move on to the next level of training.
So why won’t this suggestion probably, ”see the light of day?” Organizations may not want to include in this type of program in their training budget and who would do the training? I guess it’s all about priorities.
We need to tap the wisdom of those who have gone before us to give us insights into how to make those tough decisions today.
I just think this is an idea that needs some serious consideration and dialogue.
fbucaro
Like you, business ethics and ethical leadership expert, Frank Bucaro has seen the challenges and problems of corporate leadership, particularly over the past few years in regards to poor decision-making, SEC violations, and record breaking financial settlements in a number of different industries.
With over two decades of executive training, speaking, writing and with real life experiences, his view and approach to ethics in the workplace is uniquely different. He emphasizes that ethics is a moment-to-moment choice and has little to do with position, titles, personalities or education. Ethics is everybody’s responsibility from the top down.
His goal is to help organizations to:
a. Strengthen their ethics training initiatives in order to significantly decrease the odds of an ethical/compliance violation.
b. Energize, train and motivate employees to understand the value of consistent “high road” behavior as a business advantage.
c. Support individuals and thereby the organization by contributing to its success by quality, ongoing values based leadership development.
Frank is known for his very practical, slightly irreverent, yet somewhat humorous approach to ethics and leadership development. His conversational style and real life stories connect with his audience in a personal, intense and practical level.
Companies such as Bayer Healthcare, BP, ReMax International, EnMax Energy, Danone, etc. have partnered with Frank when they want to proactively stress the message, tools, insights and practical applications that good ethics IS good for business!