Developing a Moral Compass

While on our life journey, we each need an internal compass as a way to deal with tension and change both in business and in our lives.

Ethical sensitivity is a state of mind and needs to be developed.  As we work out our intangible assumptions/beliefs, values, vision and guiding principles, we will create better tangible business plans that will be tested by others; each test is an opportunity to learn and grow.

A new book, Living into Leadership by Bowen H. ("Buzz") McCoy (Stanford Business Books), tells us that if we don't intentionally choose ethical models, both personal and intellectual for our behavior, our journey will continually be subjected to the winds and tides of the moment.  When the good people are unwilling to speak out and be counted, the bad people drive the day.  Groups of individuals, organizations, and even society itself can be defined by their ethical code.

A problem is that most of us are not trained in ethics, nor are many of us exposed to deep ehtical discussions on a regular basis.  Business and economics education in general is oriented toward winning--maximizing profits, optimizing outcomes and prevailing over competition.  The emphasis on outcomes rather than values tends to create an impression that issues of ethics, spirituality or religion are inappropriate in a business situation.  As a former corporate executive, business owner and management consultant, I understand that in the business world, we don't speak much about the heart. Yet, since all businesses are ultimately people serving people, our life's work should come from the heart. Long after your products or services have been delivered, the feelings and knowledge shared during the business relationship remain.

A key task of a business leader is to get inside the ethical culture of the organization.  Individuals will be far more productive if they can align their personal values with those of the enterprise.  The most difficult challenge for a leader is to change that culture if appropriate, especially when the values are deeply entrenched.  Without having a core ethic in place, a leader cannot successfully create a valid ethic for the business and the employees who make the business work.

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