Better Choices!
Betterment is a continuous incremental undertaking…
— R. H. Thomas
To recognize Ethics as a difficult subject is to understate the problem…
Burdened as it is with an embarrassment of differing definitions, opinions, levels of legal, moral and ethical complexity, ethics qualifies as challenging even before one adds the further issues of international differences and local nuances of character, style and politics. Common discourse confuses politics, legal and moral considerations with professional standards and practices.
The prevailing ethos of professional ethical discussion seems to have devolved down to a negative perspective, “If it’s not forbidden, it is permitted! Go for it!”
Worldwide, entire industries have perceived the opportunity: the Auto Makers, the Consultants, the Plaintiffs Bar, the Banks, the Universities and the “Public Servants” have all lined up at the trough to fill up and get out of town in an orgy of “Privatize the Gain and Socialize the Loss”… The result is beyond measuring in the damage to our cultural commons and lost faith in our institutions and fellows. The ultimate price is paid by the next generation as they witness the self-serving, destructive frat-party of insider trading and debauchery. What is there to aspire to if the leaders, the biggest, the brightest and the best are all doing nothing more than serving themselves first?
The problem is not that our definition of ethics is wrong. Of course it is right. But it would appear that our cultural education in ethical understanding stops at the second grade and merely discerning the difference between “right and wrong.” We’re all adults now. Things can and should be much Righter! It’s time for a new definition of Continuous Positive Ethics as a foundation not for the avoidance of wrongness; but for the continuing postulation of incremental degrees of betterment.
The discussion is not merely about what we musn’t do, friends. Instead, It’s about Becoming more aware of what we must do/can do to make things better. Ethics is a usually an un-noticed part of our daily lives from moment to moment. How will this decision impact me going forward? My team? My family? My community? My Nation? My Race? My Environment? My relationship with other Living Things? My Spiritual well-being? My connection to the Infinite? While we’re ignoring the larger universe, it may not be ignoring us…
Our objective is (through an ongoing discussion) to assist in the establishment of a loftier perspective, a new ethical compass and a more fluid, practical and positive definition of terms. This good start leads to a more robust discussion, resulting in an ongoing improvement in our public, private and personal sectors. From where we stand, every member of the culture should be able to articulate the shared ethical suppositions that form the cultural foundations of civilization going forward. If it’s good for all, and it’s good for us, and it’s good for me; then it’s very good indeed!
Call us and start the discussion about raising the ethical bar in your organization.
Next Steps
Call us at 800.866.2228 and let’s talk about raising the ethical bar in your organization for a positive ripple effect that benefits everyone.