Ethical and Moral Leadership

Ethics training is a hot topic right now.  Every company I have worked at in the past decade has provided some sort of "ethics training", "ethics hotline" or "ethical code of conduct."  And usually, it is something I don't hear about again until the refresher training the following year.  Recently though, most companies have been rebooting their program to include some sort of extra step.  If it was an online course, they're adding the hotline.  If it was the hotline, they're adding the course.  If they had both already, they may even be sending management to a workshop offsite.  This, however, is rare.  The most recent company I accepted a position at unfolded like this.  I read the job description online.  Their emphasis on ethics and integrity couldn't be ignored.  In Human Resources, it's a core value, so when you see it in the company's core values, you tend to have a little more faith that their respect of the department is hi...

We have all heard of the notion of a self-fulfilling prophecy.  In fact, I used the term in casual conversation earlier today.  But what bearing does it actually have on us as we march toward our goals?  Are we all subjected to such slight of hand? Or does it take certain circumstances to create the possibility?  More than that, is it a form of positive reinforcement or negative?  We hear all sorts of self-help books claim things like, if you can dream it, you can do it, originating from the iconic Walt Disney.  Many aspects of psychology focus on self-affirmations or speaking your dreams to give them life. Seems to me, if it was that simple, then everyone would be winning at life.   In Mark Mansons not so subtle book, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F***”, he criticizes greatly the idea of using self-affirmations to create a better life or self-image.  In fact, he states that the very idea of saying something is needed out loud is actually reinfo...

 Consider this: While sitting in your office at 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon, an employee comes to you and says, can we talk?  You have them close the door, and they admit to you that they have a drinking problem, and it is so severe, that they are finally admitting to you that they need help.  What do you do?  1. Facts-their job performance has not yet been effected. It is illegal to operate any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol if over the legal limit.  Policy states it is not allowed at all.  Your professional standards are to maintain confidentiality due to potential discrimination by others, as well as ensure the safety of all others to the highest degree possible.  2. Fairness-You cannot know the situations that have led this person to their current situation.  Be mindful.  Provide them with respect for being proactive, even if late in the game, but before someone got hurt.  Consider the reasons this person is asking for h...

Recently, I made a choice to change companies.  It was a large career move and one I struggled with. The location at which I have been working was full of people who had never been shown care or concern, honesty and respect.  Rather, “respect” was merely demonstrated by coming to work, doing your job, and going home.  “We’re here, aren’t we!”  With my resignation came a lot of emotion.  Not from higher up, but from within.  Even though I don’t work in education, “Principals Should Be the School Optimist-In-Chief” by Middleweb could easily sun out a few key terms for some HR jargon and the same story be told.  In human resources, I was indeed a “data analyst (payroll), cheerleader (employee morale), PR Expert (maintain professional company image in the community), parking lot attendant (same), production manager (same), public speaker / educational leader / problem solver / conflict resolver / curriculum coordinator / chief hand-holder / liaison / and s...