How Ethical Are You?

The subject of my grad class this week is "tackling ethical challenges."  Analyzing ethical dilemmas requires asking some very important questions.  What are the implications of this decision?  Who will be affected and how?  How can objections be ethically overcome?  Questioning all facets of a decision often reveals consequences of unethical behavior.

In order to truly reveal the fine line between ethical and unethical behavior discuss the options with stakeholders.  See their viewpoint and it will provide insight from others perspective.  Don't just discuss the issues with "insiders".  They may be too blinded by the situation to know right from wrong.  "Group think" begins to take place after a while and people can easily miss the fine lines of distinction.

Here are some common examples of ethical violations:

• Mis-stating the financial health of the home or business.

• Withholding key pieces of information that might influence others response.

• Underbidding to win contracts, then going over budget and beyond the deadline for completion.

• Conflict of interest when decision-makers stand to personally benefit from their decision.

• Using company resources for personal use.

• Installing and using unlicensed software.

• Divulging confidential information, except in order to expose wrongdoing.

• Withholding non-confidential information that would benefit family members, customers, or stakeholders.

The line between ethical and unethical behavior is a fine line that is easy to cross.  What other areas do you see that may have been missed by this list?