The Michael Josephson commentary linked below is a very interesting one. It discusses the concept that rules cannot make a person ethical or good. I suspect most people would agree with that, but what is the first thing we tend to do when we discover an ethical crisis in our organizations? Is it not to make more policies, regulations, and rules? Not only do we make additional rules, but don’t we tend to stand up tall and straight and stick out our chest and say to one and all, "Break these rules and we will fire you; if you don’t believe us, just try us; we are not going to tolerate this mess!" Have you ever heard this kind of nonsense before? I have, too many times to count.
The point Mr. Josephson makes in his commentary is that what organizations need to do, along with having values guiding policies, is develop an organizational culture of ethical behavior. A culture where ethical behavior is not only expected and demanded, but is a predictable certainty. A culture where anything but ethical behavior would be a surprise and shock throughout the organization.
Since ethical behavior is character based it must be a mutually inclusive way of living and doing business, i.e., personal and professional oneness. It is a culture where leaders (we are all leaders of ethical behavior) throughout the organization do the right things themselves thus modeling the right way. The way of knowing, doing and becoming. Character (being) results from a thorough knowledge (knowing) what is right and wrong behavior plus a continuing and willful choice to do what is right (doing). Rules are needed but will not work without good character.
To develop an ethical culture in our organizations we must continually train and develop our people to know, to do and to become. Modeling ethical behaviors is the best way to teach them and to aid in character development. The more an individual sees and repeats observed ethical behaviors, the more he develops an ethical and virtuous character. Repetition of right behavior becomes a habit and our habits become our character. We know, we do and we become.
Remember that transformational leadership, as well as effective following, is an inside-out process. The quality of our leadership depends upon the quality of our character. We cannot be effective leaders without being of good character. The quality of our organizations depends upon the cumulative quality of the character of all leaders and subordinates within the organization. Becoming a leader of character is impossible until we learn to love the right and hate the wrong, and act accordingly. Yes, it is a tough job being a leader, but who promised us it would be easy?
Please read the commentary linked below.
Michael Josephson Commentary: Ethics Codes Don't Make People Ethical 684.1
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