Ethics
There has been a lot in the news about ethics lately. Or rather about he lack of them. The headlines include affairs by senior government officials, questionable e-mails from senior military officers plus the usual news of students’ cheating,
Congressmen lying, CEO back-dating stock options and executives spying on their
boards – among other things. The question
is often asked “why do smart people do dumb things?” Let me put it a different way, people who are
smart – or not so smart – need to do the RIGHT thing. So what does that mean?
The Right Things…
Do not lie, cheat or steal.
Ever. No excuses. “But everyone else is doing it” should have stopped
before junior high school.
Treat others the way you would want to be treated. This applies to customers, employees,
suppliers and family members.
There are no short cuts to success. Success is the result of hard work over
time. Anything less is luck.
Communication. Say
what you mean and mean what you say. We
are all caught up in double talk, buzz words and spin. Think about what you say – whether it is one
on one, to a small meeting, to the board or to an auditorium of people. Put is out there in plain English.
Walk the talk. If you
say something – others look to you to live it too. If you expect something from others then you
must live it and lead by example.
No secrets. Whether
it is over the phone, e-mail, conversation – or even “IM” – there are NO
secrets. If you would not say something
to your mother – then do not say it to others in the “privacy” of conversation,
e-mail or other communication vehicles.
Visibility works both ways.
PR is great when you want everybody to know about something wonderful
you have done. How about when you do
something that is not so wonderful?
Think about it. Would you want
your actions on the front page of the newspaper or on the 10 O’clock news
report?
Don’t forget …
Whether you are in the mail room – or the corner office – or
anywhere in between, the way you act every day – in and out of the office –
speaks volumes about you. Live your life
as an open book. Follow the simple
principles outlined about. You may not
become a Fortune 500 CEO or achieve FORBES list of the wealthiest people – but
you will be able to sleep at night, look your colleagues in the eye and leave a
wonderful legacy for all of those you have touched during your life.
George F. Franks, III is the President and Principal
Consultant of Franks Consulting Group – business, career and nonprofit
consulting practice. His web site is:
