Tag Ethical

How to Work With Unethical People 

Steve Keating 4 Comments

Some people would tell you that figuring out what is ethical and what isn’t is hard. I do not agree with that. There’s a simple “test” to determine whether something is ethical. If you think there is even a slight possibility that something is unethical then it almost certainly is. 
If you’d be even the least bit embarrassed or concerned if someone found out you did it, then “it” is almost certainly unethical. 
People who struggle with whether something is ethical or not are usually only trying to convince themselves that something that is clearly unethical is actually ethical. They tell themselves “it’s not that big of a deal.” They tell themselves “well, I know other people who do it” so I can too.
Here are two rules I do my very best to live by. First, always remember that if something isn’t ethical then it’s unethical. There is no in between. Two, you’re either ethical all the time or you’re not ethical. Period. There is no such thing as “business ethics” or “personal ethics,” ethics are ethics all the time. 
Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it. Living any other way only serves to cause you personal internal conflicts. Sneaking around, hoping no one finds out what you did or only being able to discuss it with other unethical people is no way to live. 
Working with unethical people can be challenging and uncomfortable. Unfortunately it is sometimes unavoidable in professional or personal settings. Here are some thoughts on how to navigate such situations.

  • Establish your personal and professional boundaries from the beginning. Make it clear that you won’t tolerate unethical behavior and ensure that you stick to your principles.
  • It’s crucial to know your values and principles and not compromise them due to the influence of unethical individuals. Maintain your integrity and don’t engage in or support any unethical actions.
  • Keep a record of any unethical behavior or actions you witness. This documentation can be useful in case you need to address the issue with higher authorities or HR at a later stage.
  • When dealing with unethical people, be careful with your communication and actions. Avoid sharing sensitive information or getting involved in any unethical activities.
  • If possible, find colleagues or friends who share your values and ethics. Having a support system can help you stay strong and provide guidance in handling difficult situations.
  • If you witness unethical behavior, consider addressing it with the person involved. Choose a private setting and approach the topic calmly and objectively. Avoid being confrontational, as it may lead to a defensive reaction.
  • If the unethical actions are affecting you or others in the workplace, it might be necessary to report the issue to a supervisor, manager, or HR department. Make sure to have your documentation ready to support your claims.
  • Working with unethical people can be mentally draining. Focus on your personal and professional growth, and try not to let their behavior negatively impact your career or well-being.
  • If the situation becomes unbearable and you see no positive change, consider whether it’s worth staying in that environment. Sometimes, it may be necessary to explore other job opportunities or find a way to distance yourself from the unethical individuals.
  • If the unethical behavior involves illegal activities, consider seeking legal advice to protect yourself and ensure you’re not inadvertently involved in any criminal actions.

Remember that every situation is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s essential to trust your instincts and take appropriate action that aligns with your principles and personal circumstances. In extreme cases, consulting with an HR professional, an attorney, or an ethics advisor may be beneficial.
Above all, above absolutely everything else, never never ever sacrifice your core values just to get along with unethical people. They are most definitely not worth it and they never will be.

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Ethics

Steve Keating 6 Comments

Books have been written, lots of books, on the topic of ethics. Most of them are well written and I suspect they were written with the best of intentions. But many of them are flawed (in my humble opinion) right from the start because they have titles that suggest there are different “kinds” of ethics. As soon as I see something like “Ethics in the Workplace” I’m turned off.

I’m turned off because of my admittedly simplistic view of ethics. I believe you’re either ethical all the time or you’re not ethical at all. Titles like “Workplace Ethics” or “Levels of Ethics” would indicate you can turn ethics on and off or be more ethical sometimes than you are others.

I originally titled this post “The Ethics of Leadership” and even that is a misnomer. There is no such thing as a special set of ethics for a leader. They are either ethical or they or not. They didn’t become more ethical when they accepted a leadership position. I changed the title of this post to “Ethics” because Ethics stand alone.

Ethics have no need for support from additional words or actions. Leaders don’t need to be held to a “higher standard” of ethics than anyone else. There is not a higher standard of ethics to be held to…you’re either ethical or your not.

If you’re ethical when it’s easy or convenient but not so ethical at others times then stop congratulating yourself because you weren’t actually ethical when it was easy either. It only appeared that way.

One particular concept I’ve recently read said that an ethical leader has no favorites and that they treat everyone equally.

Well…not exactly.

Until the robots take over all the leadership roles leaders will have favorites. That’s because all leaders have one thing in common. They are human. Humans connect with some people better than others. They have similar backgrounds, beliefs, work histories, etc with some people. That makes those people more “favored” then other people who have less in common with the leader.

That’s a fact of life. It does not mean the leader is unethical. Ethical leaders do however treat everyone equally. But do not mistake treating everyone equally with treating everyone the same.

Every person has different motivations, different needs, different levels of understanding and different life and career goals. Authentic Leaders understand those unique characteristics of their people and lead them accordingly.

They apply rules and regulations equally but expectations not so much.

I would never question another person’s ethics. I don’t have to because I’ve only met a few truly ethical people in my lifetime. (and nope, I’m not one of ‘em) My only question to people would be “are you getting closer to being an ethical person or moving farther away?”

I’m trying to get closer. I’m a work in progress.

What about you?