Ethics - a word with many definitions - finding the right one - - a challenge

Most recently the news has had  frequent articles on the actions that were a part of the Goldman-Sachs role in the meteoric rise and fall of the mortgage lending business.  Subsequent conversations with a diverse group of people and an opportunity to hear Greg Mortenson speak (author of Three Cups of Tea) led me to the famous source for information - wikipedia

Much is written about ethics.and it is a frequently used word on talk shows.  The reality, though, is that the meaning of the word varies amongst people, cultures and nationalities.  For many people, they've been caught in a quandary, while earning a paycheck, when they've had to make a quick decision that strains their definition of what constitutes an ethical decision.

If you've ever worked in sales or finance for a company, there have probably been times when you told them facts/figures that you could substantiate and someone higher up in the corporate food chain told you what they were going to report on your behalf.   This usually makes you uncomfortable for a few minutes, then you go on to the next challenge.  Now imagine your position is closer to, or is a part of, the C-level of a major corporation.  Your definition of "ethics" may look entirely different than it does to the person who is quite far down on the organizational chart.

If you mix in international differences, companies that are headquartered in a different country with a different set of rules and a culture that poses unique challenges, the boundaries for the word "ethical" become fuzzy, distorted and almost out-of-focus.

Somewhat like statistics, there is no one definition for moral - - and learning how to navigate the complex world of business and make an "ethical" decision becomes more challenging every day.  Especially when you add instant access to news and information on a global basis that can be sent electronically around the world in seconds.

We are in the middle of a fast-changing world and I'm not sure anyone is moving fast enough to truly be at the helm of any ship.  It is going to continue to be an interesting, challenging world in which we live.  Yet I believe there are solutions to ethical questions that can be acceptable  - - finding that gray area of acceptability is the biggest challenge of all.

 

Comments

[Success secrets]

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