2. We
are born with many instincts/human
traits that are necessary and appropriate
as infants.
Society expects / demands that we learn
to control these as we grow up.
Not controlling them can cause improper
or unethical or illegal behavior.
Unethical is sometimes an opinion, but can
quickly become a matter of law.
Ethics are connected to “Growing
Up”
3. Insecurity
is an instinct necessary to
survival in all advanced lifeforms.
Our insecurities warn us of the dangers in
the world.
Our insecurities also warn us of our own
limitations.
Recognizing insecurities helps us
understand our own behavior.
Recognizing insecurities also helps us
understand the behavior of others.
Everyone is Insecure
4. When
we are in control of our insecurities,
they help us survive and be successful.
When our insecurities control us, they can
be a hindrance up to disastrous: witch
trials, red scare, concentration camps
There are two ways to be controlled by
our insecurities: be overwhelmed by them
or pretend they do not exist
Insecurity Begins as a Positive
5. There
are numerous methods human
beings use to control our insecurities, and
we each have our own unique styles.
Fight or flight
Confidence, embracing them (Todd
Helton)
Ego, hiding them
Rationalization, changing the perspective
Human Differences
7. When
we control our ego, it can help us
survive and be successful (Pat Summit)
When our ego controls us, it can be very
disastrous
There are two ways ego can control us:
overwhelm us or if we pretend it is
something else
An ego is not confidence, nor is it pride, it
is a byproduct of insecurity
Self-righteousness is a byproduct of ego
Ego Begins as Positive
8. Controlling
our rationalizations can help
us survive and be successful. (Glass half
full or half empty?)
Being controlled by our rationalizations
can be a hindrance up to disastrous.
There are two ways to be controlled by
our rationalizations: be overwhelmed by
them or pretend they are not
rationalizations, but reality.
Rationalization Begins as a
Positive
9. Leadership
is only about communication
of a system of values.
People follow a leader because values
define purpose, and people want purpose.
Unfortunately, the values do not have to
be good values to be a leader.
Organizations were created for the benefit
of people, not people for the benefit of
organizations.
Leadership
10. Our employees would never do that!
I know when other people do this it is
considered unethical, but I’m doing it for
the right reasons.
I/mine deserve something extra.
It doesn’t harm anyone.
They can afford it.
Nobody will know.
What does all this have to do
with Ethics?
11. 95% of people will steal
if there is no possibility
they will get caught.
12. It
is easier to get forgiveness than
permission.
We don’t need anyone outside sticking their
nose in our business.
Rules are made to be bent (broken).
Our supervisors need the authority to decide
when it is not necessary to follow the rules.
(I know what is safe and what is not safe.)
It is better to cover up mistakes because
acknowledging them makes the organization
look bad.
Rationalizations are shaped by
the values being
communicated
13. Another
trait of human beings is the
tendency to emphasize our strengths to
the point that they become weaknesses.
What I’m good at/what is good about me
is what is most important, so I need to
cooperate with/hire people like me.
Any Good Idea Can be Taken
Too Far
14. A
good supervisor supports their
employees./You hire good people and let
them do their job. (Delegating should
never give away responsibility.)
People are essentially good.
People are always self-serving.
It is easier to catch flies with sugar than
with salt.
Any good idea can be
taken too far
15. Assuming
your employees (any
employees) would never do anything
wrong is irrational.
Little wrongs that are too easy lead to
bigger wrongs.
The best route is often not trying to make
unethical behavior impossible, but
providing visible evidence that getting
caught is possible.
Embarrassment is often the most effective
punishment.
A Little Prevention