Our history is full of wise men who wrote about the philosophies of life.
While many of them did not agree on many points, most did agree on one:
lack of ethics promotes disorganization, financial turmoil and, sometimes even the demise of governments.
As individuals, we may often feel that we have little control over others.
This is true to a certain extent, but we do actually have more control than we might realize. The control we have is the ability to choose our own way of life. There is little doubt that what we do on a day-in, day-out basis affects everyone we come in contact with. We are also impacted by others in the same manner.
Tim is driving to work and the traffic is very congested. Even so, his mood is bright and he is humming along with the radio. As he merges into another lane in anticipation of an upcoming freeway exit, the man he pulls in front of becomes angry. Perhaps he feels Tim has cut him off, or maybe he is just a sour person in general. For whatever reason, the driver is angry.
The other driver whips alongside of Tim's car, rolls his window down and shouts angrily. The angry driver also gives Tim a few well known hand signals.
Although Tim did not feel that he had done anything wrong, his mood instantly changes. He no longer hums with the radio. When he arrives at work, his secretary greets him cheerfully. Tim's response is short and bleak.
Although he did not actually say anything bad to Jane, his secretary, she felt that he must be angry with her for some reason. Had she forgotten to do something yesterday? Jane spent her morning feeling worried and stressed.
By the afternoon, Tim had forgotten about the driving incident (or simply put it behind him), but Jane was still affected. As the day progressed, she expected some explanation from Tim about what she had done that was upsetting to him. When no explanation came, her stress mounted. That evening on her way home, Jane began to wonder if Tim was simply unhappy with her work in general. That night she barely slept.
On her way to work the next morning, Jane stopped to get her car filled with gas. When she handed the clerk a twenty dollar bill, the clerk miscounted her change. When Jane noticed she was short a dollar, she curtly pointed out the error to the clerk.
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Professional Ethics
After Jane left, the clerk, Susan, felt humiliated. It was obvious to her that Jane thought she was trying to cheat her by keeping an extra dollar. Susan never became angry, but she did feel stupid and inferior. It was just one more incident that confirmed to Susan that she would never amount to much. She figured she would probably always work for minimum wage because she simply did not have the ability to do any better.
Are the examples of how we affect others an extension of our code of ethics? Often we forget that ethical behavior is not only connected to such things as paying our taxes fairly, following the laws, or telling the truth.
Ethical behavior can also be connected to how we treat others. Ethics is a code of values to guide man's choices and actions. In choosing one's own actions and even goals, we must face constant alternatives. Even such things as the manner in which we speak to others are a part of our daily alternatives.
Some have argued than man's nature is to be selfish. In order for a person to choose various alternatives on a daily basis, he or she must have a standard of values. The term "value" presupposes an answer to the question: of value to whom or for what? This is where an inborn selfishness might be considered. What is the end goal or purpose? Who is the perceived or intended beneficiary of the action? Ourselves or others?
To be selfish is to be motivated by one's own self-interests. Insurance agents are often accused of this. For an individual to center on their own interests, they must have considered what constitutes their own self-interests and how to achieve it. Because a selfish person chooses his goals by the guidance of reason, it is hard to believe that selfishness is an accident (or a lack of training in the case of insurance salespeople).
It should be noted that Ethics is hard work. Who among us would not enjoy an extra $5 (even if it were not due us)? If our boss thought we were the one who did something wonderful, who would not like to take that credit, even if it belonged to someone else? Being ethical can be very difficult when being unethical is sometimes more rewarding from a financial or public standpoint. The public standpoint is often overlooked. If we feel strongly about something that no one else seems to, it is very easy to keep quiet. In fact, that is precisely what gets "followers" in trouble. When a person knows something is not right, but no one else is saying anything, it is easy for the individual to simply go along with the group.
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Professional Ethics
Greg works for a very large insurance agency. Greg has always had very strong religious convictions and, as a young man, took much teasing from others regarding his so-called "prudish" outlook. Over the years Greg simply found that keeping quiet was easier. After all, he reasoned, as long as he personally held his moral ground, what others did was their own business.
Mike was also an agent with the same agency as Greg. As time went by Greg found mounting evidence that Mike was "clean sheeting" his applications. One day in the field Greg ran across one of Mike's clients. She was an elderly woman who obviously had some mental disorder. She could not remember simple things and was under a doctor's care.
Back at the office, Greg asked Mike how he ever got her on that policy, which was issued only 6 months previously. "I would not have even attempted it, given her medical situation" stated Greg.
Mike replied "I simply stated what she told me. If she didn't say it, I didn't write it."
On two other occasions, Greg found similar circumstances in Mike's business. Greg voiced his concern to Mike: "You know those people won't be covered if something comes up. The company will simply rescind their policy."
Mike: "You worry too much."
It became obvious to Greg that Mike did not intend to change his practices.
Since Greg is not involved and is behaving in a way that he perceives to be ethical personally, does he have any moral obligation to the clients of Mike?
Since Greg considers Mike to be a friend, does he have more obligation towards Mike or Mike's clients?
Greg was still concerned so he went to his manager. The company's manager told Greg that it was not his concern as did several other coworkers. In fact, most people that he talked to within the company seemed to be viewing Greg as a potential trouble maker. Greg had heard about "whistle-blowers" and he knew he could be putting himself in a precarious position with the company if he became too vocal.
Are Greg's self-interests more important when no one really seems to care other than himself (and the issuing insurance company)? Is it the management's responsibility, rather than Greg's, to mandate ethics?
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On the surface it would be easy to say that Right is Right no matter what.
It is likely that most people would, however, suggest a different course for others than they would suggest for themselves. Studies have shown that people are more likely to voice ethical behavior than follow it.
The truth is, our identity is established by our actions (a liar is known for his lies; a thief is known for his stealing). A common pitfall to proclaiming ethics, but not following them, is that an identity is established. In addition, if someone intends to declare ethical conduct, they need to be following it themselves. Otherwise, their verbal spouting will bring them more trouble than joy. Those who follow what they declare will find respect from others, but those who declare without any following actions will find themselves viewed with contempt.
Who we become is a gradual thing. Seldom are we formed by one single experience although one single experience, if great enough, can change our direction or focus in life. Our "becoming" is a gradual and natural thing. So gradual that people seldom notice what is happening themselves. Without even noticing it, one can slip into a pattern of behavior which ends up being the ultimate basis by which we are judged by others. Therefore, a code of ethics must be a daily goal that we deliberately choose to follow.
In Arthur Miller's famous play, Death of a Salesman, the main character, Willie Loman, believes that the secret of success lies in the salesman's personality. This might involve many aspects of the personality, but it comes down to acting whatever way will get the sale. Being the person the prospective buyer wants the salesman to be. If the buyer loves children, then the salesman loves children; if the buyer would like to travel, then the salesman either has traveled or wants to travel also. Common ground, we are told, is vital to the sale.
Being an actor or an actress, especially in sales, is a dangerous part to play. Sooner or later, it is likely that the salesperson's true identity will be exposed. The woman who tells the elderly client that she loves cats, too, will be caught smacking at the cat who attempts to climb on her lap. The man who weaves a tall tell about his traveling experiences will say something that proves him to be a liar. Sooner or later, chances are that we will blow our cover. It is simply too difficult to keep what was told to who straight. This is especially true in small towns where your clients often know each other and will compare notes. Attempts to conceal our true nature will
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Professional Ethics
It should be pointed out that it is possible to discontinue acting in an unethical manner, or "mend our ways" as it is often referred to. It is never too late to begin to act in an ethical way. In fact, John Newton, the man who wrote one of our most famous songs, was the captain of a slave ship.
As he came to realize that slavery was wrong, he used his experiences to bring this same understanding to many others. The song written by John Newton was Amazing Grace. Knowing this, the words of the song gain a greater meaning:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found was blind, but now I see.
Of course, the most important reason to be ethical is not hard to understand. We are a reflection of our lives, our families, our community and of ourselves. Our children will copy us (that's hard to believe during their teen-age years, but it does happen), our families and our communities will be affected by our actions and we, ourselves, must live with who we are yesterday, today and tomorrow. In fact, those around us, including our coworkers, are affected by our values (ethics). Just as a follower may follow the cheater, they may also follow ethical behavior. When you define the
"inner" character as someone you are proud of, it will show in your daily behavior which includes your work. This will bring self-assurance which will ultimately benefit you in many ways, including financially. Personal integrity radiates confidence and everyone prefers to deal with people who seem confident.
Attempts to conceal our true nature will eventually become recognized. As the Bible says, sooner or later who we are
"will be declared from the rooftops."
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Professional Ethics
We are often told that merely feeling very good about ourselves will accomplish much in the sales field. There is certainly much truth to the concept that self-worth is tied in to many of our successes in life. In fact, low self-esteem may be tied to many of the underachievers in our country.
However, high self-esteem in itself will not accomplish anything. It takes much more than that. Some of the most effective workers in the world are the Japanese people. Yet personality tests have revealed that the Japanese people traditionally have very low self-images. They are often depressed because they do not feel good about themselves. Self-esteem is important to have for many reasons, but it is not likely to insure economic success.
It has become commonplace for insurance companies and other industries to shower their salespeople with prizes, plaques and medals for selling their products. It seems that companies believe their employees will work only for material gratification. There are those who believe that attempts to build self-esteem in the work place will result in successful (financial) payoffs for the company.
Sometimes this belief can cause problems. Employees may begin to do their work for the wrong reasons. Their "ethical compass" may become misdirected. When self-esteem is tied to financial rewards, the why of the work can again become lost. Of course, financial rewards are essential, but when ethical behavior is not tied into those financial rewards, many negative circumstances can develop.
Few, if any, jobs are totally satisfying. Certainly it is desirable to find fulfilling work, but most things in life are a mixture of things. In other words, there are times that the job seems extremely fulfilling and there are other times when the job seems absolutely terrible. Even fields of work that seem to be glamorous to others generally carry with them a certain amount of negatives. Even jobs that promise excitement carry stretches of boring mundane tasks.
Promotional advertising is all around us. As viewers of this, we must be aware that glamour and excitement also carries simple hard work and frustration. Look at the ads for joining the armed forces. These ads show handsome men flying planes or jets, standing on the decks of mighty ships, or visiting exotic foreign places. They do not show kitchen duty, strenuous marches, or other mundane tasks.
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Professional Ethics