Insights with Dzigbordi K. Dosoo: Ethics in the workplace

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Insights with Dzigbordi K. Dosoo: Ethics in the workplace

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do” – Potter Stewart. Ethics is the compass that helps us decide the right course of action when faced with the dilemma of choosing between what is right and what may seem right but isn’t. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ethics as “The discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation” – Interestopedia.

One characteristic that is valued by every serious business, company or organization is work ethics. Specific ethical codes are created and implemented by leaders to guide their operations and how their processes have an overall impact on their stakeholders – employer to employee, employee to employee and employee to customer relationships. These ethics which may be put into writing or not, normally help organizations or companies for instance, to maintain specific standards of accountability, responsibility, and professionalism, when followed in steering daily circumstances and challenges.

One of the most important things that reflect your personality is the ethics that you own. Ethics are the basis of building credibility in any sphere of life. Practicing ethical behavior makes you more trustworthy and builds long standing relationships both in your personal and professional life. The ethics you exhibit in the workplace matters even more because it has the power to ensure a successful career for you and produce maximum benefit to your organization. It is essential for every workplace to have a culture of ethics as it fosters a positive work environment and creates a space where everyone can bring out the best in themselves at work without the fear of being demoralized.  Ethics in professional settings also helps in building team morale and productivity.

There have been studies to show that businesses with a commitment to an ethical work environment make more money and have happier, more productive workers. With workplace ethics playing an important role in organizational growth and development, every leader must find ways of teaching as well as being examples of the right ethics for the workplace to encourage team members to follow. This is very important for leaders to take note of, as what happens at the top is usually that which trickles down eventually to the least in rank in the business, company or organization that they are part of.

Wisestep assets that workplace ethics are nothing but the rules and procedures that should be carried out in an office by the employer and the employees to maintain a professional company culture and to build a better relationship with their customers by providing better services. Most of the companies include the rules and regulations the employee should follow, which must be relating to the ethics of the workplace in the employee handbook. Usually, all these terms are not discussed during the interviews or hiring process. It is only introduced after the employee joins the company. The organization’s ethical standard levels play an important role in its work culture. Teaching workplace ethics must be mandatory especially to the employees who are new like freshers to the company culture. In most of the organizations, new employees undergo workplace ethics training to make them understand the importance and advantages of it.

Workers with a strong ethic are often seen as people who possess a competitive spirit, even though their competitiveness is usually within themselves to achieve their goals within their career. Leaders or employees with strong ethics often present themselves as the ideal candidates for opportunities because their drive for success leads them to keep achieving one goal after the other. Although it is often part of an individual’s character and overall outlook on life, work ethic can and must be nurtured for progressive growth in the workplace.

Accomplishing assignments and tasks with a good work ethic demonstrates to your leadership that you are a reliable employee and this opens you up to more responsibilities that may lead to leadership opportunities, which has the potential of increasing your chances of a raise or promotion. At the workplace, having a good work ethic is also key to a positive experience for both you and your coworkers. The possibility of performing high-quality work, having strong relationships with coworkers and colleagues, and contributing towards the achievement of important projects that add value to your team and company when you possess these skills, is high.

Another advantage when it comes to having a strong work ethic is that, you often inspire your team members and colleagues by serving as an example of how employees should behave. This can help to establish a company culture that values hard work, and cooperation. In fact, ethics is one trait that I help all my clients to become more aware of, help them unearth, and nurture as one of the most important qualities every high performer must possess during my engagement with them their coaching sessions. And it has always been a game changer for their career progression.

As we learn more on how to hone our ethics, here are 4 points from Vantagecircle to help leaders make ethics work effectively in the workplace:

  1. CLEAR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

More often than not, it becomes difficult for employees to complete tasks without clear goals and objectives. Employees’ work ethic also strengthens when they are fully aware of the work they are doing. Team leaders or managers should clearly explain the goals and objectives before they start new tasks. Irrespective of talent and work experience, employees need direction. Every organization follows a definite corporate ethical culture. Therefore managers need to align them with clear goals and objectives. Hence, they can ensure the following points while they do it – Goals should be measurable and maintain a fixed time frame; It should be challenging and, at the same time, achievable; and it must be well accepted by the team members before implementation.

  1. DISCIPLINE

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. ~Jim Rohn

It is one of the core elements of work ethics, and management must be very particular about this aspect. When discipline becomes part of the company culture, it will resonate with all your workforce employees. By instilling a culture of self–discipline, employers can positively overview their actions and reactions. Discipline begins with punctuality. Managers can put particular emphasis on maintaining punctuality in the organization.

Punctual employees are less likely to take leaves. Also, employees who take leaves frequently are considered a burden to the organization. Discipline helps maintain the decorum of the workplace. Would you enjoy working in an environment with constant chattering? Or can you concentrate on your daily tasks with high disturbances? Thus, discipline helps team members to work efficiently towards desired goals and objectives of the organization.

  1. PROPER MENTORING

The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves. ~Steven Spielberg

Managers should set clear goals and objectives regarding the organization’s work ethics and code of conduct. Once that is done, you need to offer good mentoring and training programs to groom your employees. You need to embrace your role as a teacher/mentor and guide them in every step, especially in their initial days.

As managers, you need to use a combination of methods or approaches to mentoring them. Try to make the instructions or lessons interesting using well–structured presentations, catchy graphics, or videos. During the mentoring process, ensure effective communication by conducting one-on-one meetings or timely team meetings. 

  1. UNDERSTAND YOUR EMPLOYEES’ NEEDS

If want to create a highly motivated workplace you must acknowledge the needs of your employees. Employees show a high level of engagement and commitment when their needs are met. They also feel extra motivated and become more inclined towards the goals and vision of the organization. Daniel H. Pink in his non-fiction ‘Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,’ says acknowledging the employees’ need for Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. Autonomy gives employees a self-direction. Mastery gives them confidence in their skills. And a sense of purpose makes their work meaningful to them. The author also suggests that you should pay enough “to take the issue of money off the table.”

Also, today the need for the employees varies. What worked in the past may not work today. Work trends are changing, and so are the employees’ needs. For example, working parents might expect the flexibility to fulfill personal commitments. And at the same time, a fresher would seek more training and development programs to improve their skills. And all of these directly impact the work that they do. Therefore, understanding employees’ needs help stimulate performance and job satisfaction.

There are some important things that no workplace can do without, whether you are working from home or have to commute to work every day, and work ethics is one of them. For the workplace to function properly and produce the kind of results and productivity that every business, company or organization desires, leaders must set the precedence in enforcing the right work ethics and lead by example.

Would you want to know your make up and how to apply ethics the right way according to your personality type? Grab a copy of my book, ‘The Essentials of Image Leadership’ for yourself and your team members as a gift if your answer is ‘yes’, and observe the transformation that follows in the next few weeks.

Are ready to stand out and lead your Image?

Read my book: “The Essentials of Image Leadership”.

Designed with practical exercises for home or office,

This book gives you all the essential tips and

Tools needed to sail with success in your image.

It also touches on dining etiquette,

Ensuring that in every space you find yourself,

You make a personal impact and achieve influence.

 

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