resultsthroughintegrity

WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT

Albert Camus said that integrity has no need of rules.

KPMG in their 2008-09 integrity survey conclude that there is a real need for integrity in the workplace.

The survey reports that 3700 out of 5000 employees say they have seen or know of wrong doing or misconduct in the workplace.

THE ROLE OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY IN ORGANIZATIONS

When employees act unethically and/or without integrity, customers lose trust and confidence in organizational products and services.

When leaders act unethically and/or without integrity, employees lose trust and confidence in organizational processes, systems and products.

Both directly impact the bottom line and the return on investment. 

What is the correlation between return on investment and unethical behavior and/or a lack of integrity?

Organizations are built on the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Working together creates results and outcomes for the whole that outweigh the results and outcomes of everyone working for themselves.

The secret to success is not the principle but the way synergy is created. 

WHAT IS INTEGRITY IN PRACTICE?

 “Integrity is the cornerstone, if not the bedrock, upon which all financial markets are based.”

(Hank Paulson, Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs Group June 2002)

 Whilst we have described a number of values and vices, this list is not exhaustive and should not imply that integrity can be learned by heart like the “The Ten Commandments”.

We do not propose that it is right that people should merely read a code of ethics or a list of values and then sign a declaration to that effect.

 In the early 1970s, Harvard Professor Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a model of Moral Development which demonstrated that people shaped their sense of morality through the following stages9:

 1. “Obedience and Punishment” – We are children and we behave acceptably because we are told what to do by an authority figure such as a parent or teacher. This obedience is enforced by the threat or application of punishment.

 2. “Individualism, Instrumentalism and Exchange” – This is when we recognize that it is in our best interests to be moral.

 3. “Good boy/girl” – We do the right thing because it will gain the approval of others.

 4. “Law and order” – We abide by the law and have a sense of duty.

5. “Social contract” – We have a strong sense of social responsibility and the welfare of others.

 6. “Principled Conscience” – We accept universal principles of morality and the demands of individual conscience.

 

AN ETHICAL FOUNDATION FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

Integrity and fairness thus emerge as core business principles. We contend that firms and individuals must always place these principles above profit if they are to be ethical.

 If this statement seems challenging, then simply consider in what situations you are prepared to compromise these principles?

 Are you happy to share these instances with your customers, employees and investors?

 

Fiduciary Duty: Simple Ethics Concept for Government Officials:

The English word "Fiduciary" comes from the Latin fides (faith) and fiducia (trust). (Wikipedia).

A fiduciary has engaged in a relationship with his/her client that includes a trust and obligation (duty) to act only in that client’s best interests – without gain or benefit to the fiduciary.

Under the US Governmental structure: We, the citizens of the USA, elect our government officials to act as fiduciaries on our behalf. This democratic election process is the ethical grounding for giving our leaders the power and authority to run our country. 

By virtue of being elected – and hence having our trust placed in him/her, he/she is obligated to use an ethic of duty and care on our behalf in all his/her official actions. Period.

CORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY

What is corruption? And what does it have to do with integrity?

Transparency International defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Corruption is widespread. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.

So, it affects us individually and collectively. The watchdogs and whistleblowers are doing their part but the real question is why, other than getting angry or disappointed, do we do nothing about the corruption in our lives? 

Is Product Integrity a Function of Organizational Integrity?

Nike is currently advertising for an Apparel Product Integrity Auditor.

What exactly is product integrity? 

The Nike job description focuses the definition on the two goals of maximizing customer satisfaction and of minimizing quality failure costs. 

Is this simply a quality concept in disguise?

Let’s take a look at product integrity and what it means for Nike and for you.

Integrity is an Indicator of Performance!

By Douglas Ross

The word integrity has its roots in French and Latin words meaning intact, integrate, integral and entirety. This infers that the concept of integrity is talking about the whole system in its entirety. This includes the dynamic and changing nature of organizational systems and how they perform over time.

Integrity is about organizational efficiency and effectiveness. It is about firing on all cylinders.

When everything is working as it should, the result is performance

Integrity Based Problem Solving

By  Douglas Ross

What is the problem with problems?

Most people believe that their problems are unique to them. Many people believe problems are not a good thing to have.

Some people make a living solving other people’s problems. And then there is me ….

My problem is that I see problems like mosquitoes hovering around me in the woods and frankly they just bug me. I want to know the nature of problems and more importantly how to get rid of them.

Problems and Integrity

By Douglas Ross

“Everyone has problems, everyone suffers to varying degrees at different degrees- the only way out is objectivity “Buddhist quote

Problems are everywhere. Pick up a newspaper! Turn on the TV! Talk to your neighbor! Phone a friend! Get a new job! Take a trip!

The weather is a problem –it is either too hot or too cold. Age is a problem –you are either too young or too old or aging too quickly. Money is a problem –you never have enough. Relationships are a problem –either you have a relationship that causes problems or you want a relationship.  Jobs are a problem- so is not having a job.  

The whole world is full of problems!  Everyone, everywhere is talking about problems!

What then in Heaven’s name do problems have to do with integrity?