Professional Values and Ethics

Professional Values and Ethics March 14, 2011 Yvonne Bustamante

Professional Values and Ethics Professional Values and Ethics When discussing the relationship between professional values, ethics, and career success, there are certain variables to be considered. One must first understand the concepts of values and ethics, by seeking out sources, which help them to define these concepts, and enables them to view how ones values and ethics, can influence their professional development and career success. Values and ethics are two things that are not easily defined, as they are very complex issues that can vary depending on the people or situation that is at hand. However, by having a strong understanding on both values and ethics it enables a person to make the most effective decisions that will prove to have an outcome to best serve everyone involved By defining the meanings of values and ethics this enables us to acquire a thorough understanding of how the directly relate to our professional and personal lives and choices. Whether we are aware or not, values are instilled within each of us, and used on a daily basis throughout our lives. Values are what dictates or drives our ultimate process of decision making, despite the outcome (Phillips, J., Reynolds, T., Urbany, J., 2008). Ethics is by far an easy word to define, in short, they are a system of moral values, and principles that at times are codified into a formal system or set of rules. According to MerriamWebster (2011), ethics associated with particular situations, is a system by which acts or behaviors, are judged within their contexts, instead of categorical principles, also referred to as

situation ethics. There are many types of ethics, which can be applied such as, ethical relativism, and code of ethics, accordingly (Hartson, H., 1995). Furthermore, if people have not learned values and ethics by the time they become adults, chances are they will have a harder time throughout the rest of their lives. Work ethics are important to career success because it is hard to trust a person without any work ethics. People with high work ethics will do what they believe is right and not cheat people, whether it is a coworker or a client.

Professional Values and Ethics There are various sources of professional values and ethics, for example, ethics can be a source of a competitive advantage or edge, rather speak. One source is that companies are now

placing high values on ethics, because they have ignored ethical thinking in the past, and factual evidence has proven that United States companies and organizations, which focus on ethical thinking, have outperformed others by implementing this type of business edge (Harris, H. 1998). Businesses around the world have been implementing detailed ethic and compliance programs to enhance their notion of social responsibility (Ethics, social responsibility and business performance in a transition economy, 2009). It is extremely important that businesses have a strong ethic and compliance programs in place and being monitored to be sure, they are being complied with. A well-known example of what happens when ethics are not monitored within a company would be the incident that occurred involving Boeings financial chief back in June 2006 when he was sentenced to four months in prison on an ethical violation. Since this incident, Boeing has reconstructed their entire ethical outlook and put into place an ethical compliance program that they hold in very high regards. Integrity is also a well-known source of professional values and ethics. Integrity is how one maintains their own personal ethics and morals, which directly relates to how they choose to maintain their professional values and ethics (Integrity: Are your leaders up to it. 2006). An individual can show ones integrity through proving their dependability, trustworthiness, as well as honesty. In turn, a positive reputation is built up and therefor results in a positive impact on your path for career success. This would result in positive impacts such as promotions, raises, and the respect of your coworkers and managers.

Professional Values and Ethics Life-long professional development requires that we practice or focus more on interacting in honest and open dialogue with the public (Harris, H 1998), which is based on ethical and

valued thinking, nonetheless. Ethical training should not only incorporate on the development of ethical thinking, but should also include the sources of support when facing difficult situations. Professional values and ethics can affect career success, either negatively or positively, depending on the individual. According to Joshua Joseph of the Ethics Resource Center, Inc. (2000), a recent study reflected solid data that leaders, who want to establish a positive workplace of ethical practices, should thereby implement written ethical standards, provide ethics education, and ensure resources are readily available for all employees in need of ethical advice. An example of how professional values can positively affect career success would be a business focusing on relevant issues pertaining directly to an associations internal staff, and having ethics programs designed specifically for them, not just for members of a general association. An ethics program that is not designed for specific work environments would most likely be ineffective because professional business relationships differ drastically from one group of staff members to another. In order to establish a successful and effective ethics program there are three main elements that should be reviewed in designing an ethics program; written ethics standards, ethics training, and sources for employees to acquire ethical advice, e.g. phone help line, or an ethics office. Additionally, studies showed that formal ethical programs are on the rise among United States organizations across the non-profit, for-profit, and governmental sectors (Joseph, J. 2000). Potential benefits related to an effective ethics program are as follows: Recruiting and retaining top-quality employees

Professional Values and Ethics Providing a more satisfying and productive working environment Building and sustaining your associations reputation within the communities in which you operate Maintaining the trust of members to ensure continued self-regulation Rationalizing legitimate open discussion of ethical issues Providing ethical guidance and resources for employees, prior to making difficult decisions Aligning or organizing work efforts of the staff, with the associations broader mission and vision

An example of how lacking professional values and ethics could have a negative impact in career success could be something as simple as an employee not taking responsibility for their own mistakes at work or on a project for work. Suppose you or a coworker made a mistake on a project for work, you could easily lie and blame it on a factor beyond your control. By doing something this simple, (even if it is drastic) it could lead to a bad habit that ends up being repeated. In turn, you would become an unreliable employee to your boss and possibly your coworkers and obviously, you would halt to advance in your workplace. This shows how unethical behaviors can lead to a lack of success in a persons professional life. Overall, establishing an effective ethics program is not an easy task whatsoever, and definitely not an exact science that can be implemented with ease. It involves the input, interaction, cooperation, decision-making, and the on-going commitment of everyone involved. Due diligence and proper planning are important aspects, however; the effectiveness of any associations approach is also dependent on the characteristics which are unique to its culture,

Professional Values and Ethics the leadership style of the executive team, the associations relationship with the board of directors, and so forth. Professional values and ethics are the core to character development and are clear indications of how you will interact with bosses, coworkers, as well as clients. Therefore, with all of the above information it is quite clear that values and ethics play a large role in career success for all parties involved including the business itself.

Professional Values and Ethics References (2006). Integrity: Are Your Leaders Up to it? Human Resource Management Digest, Retrieved March 11, 2011 from: http://www.ebscohoct.com Ethics, social responsibility, and business performance in a transition economy. (2009). EuroMed Journal of Business, 4(2), 143-158. DOI: 10.1108/14502190910976501 Harris, H. (1998). Making Professional Values and Ethics a Competitive Resource. Australia School of Management, University of South Australia. Retrieved March 11, 2011 from: http://www.unisa.edu.au Joseph, J. (2000). Ethics in the Workplace. National Business Ethics Survey. Washington: Ethics Resource Center. Retrieved March 11, 2011 from: http://www.epic-online.net Phillips, J., et. al. (2008). How to Make Values Count in Everyday Decisions. MIT Sloan Management Review. Retrieved March 11, 2011 from http://www.proquest.com