Page 149 - CPAAC_Fall2015

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!