This question has been troubling me for some time. I say concerning, not because I personally have any doubt that business and ethics can and must coexist for a company to be successful. I say this because reality shows that, despite the fact that most companies in the business world have their so-called “Code of Ethics”, only some of these companies actually follow it. Meanwhile, more and more companies and individuals find excuses for their unethical behavior and consequently put those who continue to believe in ethics in a difficult situation, in which the latter group has to compete with those who are less principled. Unfortunately, ethical people often lose in their fight against those who would do anything to get what they want. In fact, in today’s world, it has become more the rule than the exception for ethical people to fail in their careers and business life simply because they have to compete with the most common types of people in today’s marketplace. know, the unprincipled, or who many prefer to call “smart.”
Almost every day we are faced with situations in which we have to make a decision and choose between something ethical and something less ethical, the latter appearing, almost always, as the most rewarding. Hanging from profit and the need to succeed, most people opt for the latter to achieve their immediate goals.
There are many examples of unethical decisions made in the business world. Two examples come to mind. At the business level, I can think of situations where a company takes a ruthless approach to pushing competing companies or individuals out of its way, rather than engaging them in honest competition; On an individual level, I can think of a situation where a greedy employee is the target of a competitor and is paid a bribe or commission in exchange for confidential information that can help the competition snatch a business opportunity from the employer. The sad part is that most people today, instead of condemning such behavior, describe it as a smart move and add, “You can’t be a sheep among wolves.” They say it, as if joining the wolves is the only solution to survive in today’s world.
I wonder! When did it become acceptable to be dishonest, cunning, and downright evil? Why do honest people consider themselves naive or, more importantly, why do they miss out on winning against the more crafty and less ethical? Who made this the number one rule of success? And, is a threat to the financial profitability of a company or a person worth sacrificing values and allowing their ethics to go out the window?
In my book, it doesn’t have to be this way. Good business ethics can and should be part of a successful business. Unethical businesses can be profitable in the short term, but they can never be truly successful. A business without ethics is a business without integrity. Such a company could make an immediate return, but it will definitely face long-term failure. This rule applies to all aspects of our life. This is true, not only because clients like to deal with value-based businesses, but also because an unprincipled business is like a rotten house destined to collapse at the hands of its own adult termites. You simply do not have a solid foundation on which to stand in the face of the many storms you will face throughout your life.
So, what do you do to make ethics the common thread of the fabric of your company?
1-Lead by example. Inspire your employees and customers to do the right thing.
2-Encourage your employees to do the right thing and reward them for it.
3-Do not tolerate corruption or unethical behavior in your company,
4-No matter how profitable an association or business relationship may seem, do not take it if it means you are joining an unethical company or individual,
5-Finally remember that fighting the good fight to win the race is much more satisfying, regardless of whether you win or lose, than winning at the expense of someone else.
Live and lead by example, because when all these days have passed and you are sitting in your rocking chair telling your grandchildren stories about your accomplishments, you will not only be proud to tell the story of your honest life’s struggles, but you will also will do. Also teach them how to live an honest and fair life. Only then, his short journey in this world would have made a difference and his life would not have been in vain.
Miranda conyers
President / CEO, Arabic-English Translation Services, Inc.
http://www.arabictranslationservices.net
July 12, 2010
