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We’re not ethically infallible
Organizations must support people
“doing the right thing” – especially
when the right thing is very hard to do
HR professionals should promote
highly ethical personal values and
organizational best practices
CPAAC, Hampian, 9-18-15
Top 10 Lists:
Personal & Org Ethical Hygiene
Personal Ethical Hygiene: 10 Key Elements
1. Know Your Ethical North Star. Commit to writing who you are, what you stand
for (your ethical “compass”) and what’s non-negotiable (especially in negotiations
with yourself!). Review and reflect on your North Star often.
2. Walk the Talk. Maintain the highest ethical standards; bring integrity to every
human transaction; do what you say you’ll do when you say you’ll do it;; avoid perks
and privileges – and never forget the symbolic importance of other actions.
3. Can vs. Should. Rules and policies are important, but not the whole ethical story;
model values-based reasoning, including identifying options that differentiate “can”
vs. “should” and “legal” vs. “ethical;” live by your “unenforceables.”
4. Decision Making. Support decision-makers with complete and objective
information; consult trusted colleagues and engage stakeholders prior to making
important decisions; discuss ethical complications openly; be honest about your
motives.
5. Group Think. Don’t be a habitual contrarian, but do cultivate an ability to
disassociate from the “herd” in order to objectively consider behaviors, actions and
decisions (rather than being swept away by them); trust your gut!
6. Me Think. Don’t get lost in personal bias; stay open to change; invite “the
messenger” in; encourage others to be honest, even when the message is about
you and hard to hear; respect different perspectives.
7. Ego, Kindness and Trust. Check your ego at the door; live by the Golden Rule;
treat people fairly but not necessarily the same; always examine your own motives;
be kind – it’s a strength that builds trust and power.
8. Speaking the Truth to Power. Do your boss the favor of being honest – whether
they like it or not (it’s a primary subordinate duty); clarify, challenge ethically
questionable direction; don’t “go along to get along” with bad behavior.
9. Without Excuses. Be honest with yourself and others about mistakes; avoid
excuses and blame; take responsibility and action to fix the situation and avoid
repetition; teach what you learn to others.
10. Respect the Journey. How we do things is often as important as the destination;
ethical processes are as important as outcomes (an unethical means does not justify
an ethical end); at the end, have a clear conscience. CPAAC, Hampian, 9-18-15
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Organizational Ethical Hygiene: 10 Key Things
Systems must support “doing the right thing” – especially when the right thing is very
hard to do.
1. Policies. Enforceable and “unenforceable” ethical standards are addressed in
collaboratively developed policy. Best practices grounded in policy guide operations
and governance; institutional controls trump individual interests.
2. Leadership. Leaders assure that ethical polices and values are ingrained culturally
and guide all decisions, behaviors. High levels of communication and respect are the
norm. Humility and teamwork is rewarded; ego and power plays are not.
3. Sunshine. Governance and management practices that embrace accountability,
transparency, and citizen involvement are institutionalized. Media relations are
proactively, honestly, and openly practiced – especially when under pressure.
4. Hiring. Ethical considerations are highly integrated into the recruitment, testing, and
hiring practices for all positions. For management positions, even greater time and
attention is invested in ethical testing and background investigation (no short cuts!).
5. Competencies. Ethical knowledge, behavior and practices are among the core
competencies expected of both employees and elected officials. Orientation and
ongoing professional development activities are designed to promote ethical skills.
6. Evaluation Systems. Ethical elements are included in employee goal setting and
performance evaluation. Governance methods, organizational practices and
administrative systems are regularly assessed for ethical currency and effectiveness.
7. Use of Resources. How public resources are used is transparent and carefully
considered, including against the “headline test.” Policies exist to protect the work
program and priorities of the governing body as a whole over individual desires.
8. Staff Work. Public decision-making is supported by quality analytic work and report
writing; staff recommendations are grounded in policy, regulations and public
purposes. Quality control is exercised to assure that standards are practiced.
9. Mistake Resolution. Mistakes are surfaced and addressed in an open, timely way;
and debriefed to prevent recurrence. To prevent future mistakes from “going
underground,” political and management response to honest mistakes are measured.
10.Myth Management. A culture of trust and “healthy high regard” is coupled with
policies and practices that assure honest self-reflection, thorough investigation of
possible ethical problems (including whistle blower protection), and swift action when
ethical problems surface. The Emperor must always be fully clothed!
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