Ethical Integrity - Research Paper Example

Ethical Integrity Introduction All of us are obligated to follow specific norms in everything we do. It is all about our principles, decisions, andactions that depend on the ethical component of our life. Ethical integrity is not simply being sympathetic to other people; it is being truthful to others, to our jobs, and most importantly, to ourselves. Professional obligation involves ethical integrity; achievement or success rests on ethical integrity and on being able to understand, respect, and value (Spencer, 1996). The elements of ethics and integrity are embedded in our lives and our work ethic arises with the values and understanding of who we are as persons. This essay will provide scholarly and personal insights about the ethical, practical, social aspects, and decision making process within the framework of ethical integrity. The Oxford Dictionary defines integrity as principle, decency, and honesty (Beebe, 1992). Ethics is moral values whereas integrity is essentially being truthful which implies that ethical integrity is genuine moral values (Watson, 2005). Most people who work with organizations that have a ‘code of ethics’ are aware that it is important to an organization to know and conform to these clear and straightforward rules. Our personal lives should also be guided by a set of principles which we should follow and live by. Thus, what is required in making a conscientious ethical decision? What have social philosophers proposed to enhance the uprightness of our decisions? Philosophers, seeing themselves as scientists, have attempted to state that a decision-making guideline can help us to make an ethical decision in our everyday situations (Watson, 2005). Advocates of Utilitarianism argue that all ethical decisions should consider and prefer the ‘greatest benefit to the greatest number of people’ (Montefiore & Vines, 1999, 25). Deontologists argue that all decisions should conform to universal laws of behavior. They also argue that the innate essence of human beings forces us to specific actions (Montefiore & Vines, 1999). Proponents of Egoism states that an ethical individual should aim for the gratification of his/her own needs or interests. However, none of these decision-making guidelines is inclusive in itself (Carter, 1996). Making ethical decisions necessitate us to combine these three forms of decision guidelines in an objective and subjective attempt. It necessitates that all of these guidelines be applied in varying levels to reach an ethical decision (Montefiore & Vines, 1999). The three decision-making programs, applied in consort, harmonize our reflections to the essence of language which innately supports our consciences. They also enhance promptness of making ethical decision by concentrating thoughts on important details and situations involved in the ethical decision (Watson, 2005). The required time and available resources to draw together the important details becomes a secure norm of timeliness for decision making, supporting us in defying mere urging for convenience (Watson, 2005). This implies that we should oppose the influence of capricious demands to decide and take action. We should be guided by the intricacy of facts shown as crucial to a decision. Moral decision making is always a difficult and incomplete task. Our ethical decisions essentially endure from unexpected situations, partial facts, and circumstances outside our experience (Spencer, 1996). And even ethical decisions can result in disastrous consequences (Beebe, 1992). Still, unexpected results and absence of experience are more justifiable than giving in to pressure by deliberately or inconsiderately using half-done reasoning which distorts the core foundation of ethical decision at its roots. Nevertheless, there are many people nowadays who think that they have sacrificed their ethical integrity just to prosper in life. Integrity in work and life refers to loyalty and commitment. In the workplace, leadership makes sure that its workers are educated with principles, rules, honesty, justice, etc. and to ensure that it embarks on dealing with them (Spencer, 1996). As reported by a nationwide research investigating ethical integrity in the workplace, the findings are varied, and raise several issues to business leaders (Watson, 2005). Majority of the employees view their superiors as individuals of high ethical integrity. The rest thinks that integrity rules have been effectively disseminated in their workplaces and that there are almost no forces to abandon or ignore compliance and ethics matters (Watson, 2005). In my own experience in business I have proven that integrity and composure are everything. How people see you as a business person, a leader, an adviser, and an individual will strongly reflect on your achievement. I have witnessed some very cool, calm and collected individuals go into business and become really successful in the beginning. I believe that it results from good planning. However, as time progresses those successful business people will eventually crumble and crash. I have witnessed it time and again. In my belief, the just and honest will always succeed. Hence, it is important to do business with integrity, regardless if it is in your benefit or not. Integrity is essentially one’s capability or determination to ‘do the right thing’ despite of the personal or ethical agony it may bring. When confronted with decisions, it is essential to face it in a moral way. I have seen that if you are successful in doing this, your business will prosper. Other people will speak in confidence to you, will trust you, and rely on you to always take action with ethical integrity. Conclusion Being an ethical business person means being ethical in your personal life as well. We should not merely lead in business and achievement, but we should be an epitome of morality. We should live in ethical integrity, not only at times, but all the time. Competition and integrity are not essentially incompatible doctrines. In reality, they can definitely work to your benefit. Ethics is not simply about what we aim or what we say, it is about the actions we take. This is the core of ethical integrity, showing steadiness between ethical value and ethical action. Integrity is an essential element of character. The need for external justification when faced with ethical decisions generates the boundary where our relationship with ourselves challenges our capability to be honest to ourselves. The ability to be united begins with being conscious of our own character and identity and our place in this world. With the understanding that arises from continually improving our self-consciousness we can much more willingly discern when the social or cultural environment is steering our own ethical integrity or whether we are driving it ourselves. References Beebe, J. (1992). Integrity in Depth. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press. Carter, S.L. (1996). Integrity. New York: Basic Books. Montefiore, A. & Vines, D. (eds) (1999). Integrity in the Public and Private Domains. London: Routledge. Spencer, A. (1996). A Crisis of Spirit: Our Desperate Search for Integrity. New York: Insight Books. Watson, C.E. (2005). How Honesty Pays: Restoring Integrity to the Workplace. Westport, CT: Praeger. Read More