Category Archives: Integrity

CompassLearning Dynamics hosted its Integrity at Work(R) showcase session this morning, and the conversation among the business leaders who attended was energetic and engaged. As we worked through video case studies and discussed the situations, the diversity of opinions illustrated just how valuable this training can be.

While there was much agreement on many of the issues discussed, there were some differences. Also, because different companies operating in different industries were represented, the stories of challenges faced were compelling. We recognized a handful of themes that are worth sharing.

First, does your organization have a published ethics policy? Many large organizations have stringent guidelines, chief ethics and/or compliance officers, and other tools to help guide employees. If yours is a smaller organization, it is worth the effort to have a policy and provide training. Even one bad decision can cost your company a lot, making education and prevention worthwhile.

Second, is ethical decision making part of the office buzz? Do you and your leaders talk about it? Do you take opportunities – teachable moments – to illustrate how policy and sound critical thinking about ethical issues have come into play in a particular situation? There is nothing like a real-world, this-happened-here example to help make your point.

Finally, do your senior leaders set the example? Leaders set the tone and create the culture. Your personal behavior and decision making, your commitment to doing the right thing, are very valuable to less senior employees. They will often do what they see their leaders doing.

Sometimes knowing what to do is difficult. Learning and using a tool to guide decision making can make it easier and results more consistent. Now, as much as at any time in the past, ethics grounded in personal integrity and bolstered by a clear thought strategy are needed in all organizational life.

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Learning Dynamics offers customized learning and development solutions for many workplace issues and skills. Integrity at Work ™ is one of them. Contact Learning Dynamics today to help plan your ethics training strategy.

Cloudy Ethics: Do You Have a Snowden?

Ethics and integrity are constant concerns of our Learning Dynamics clients. We hear about it in consultations, at our preview showcases and during our training sessions. Recent headlines give organizations cause for concern. More and more, employers are choosing to be more purposeful in their ethics and integrity training. Here are three reasons why.

One poor ethical decision can cost much more than money. Edward Snowden made a decision to leak government secrets. Part of his decision was based on an ethical system that was different than that of his employer and, as the government has made clear, the law. The public relations damage to his employer is monumental.

Ethics and integrity cannot be assumed. You can avoid a lot of trouble by taking the proactive step of explaining organizational standards and expectations. Once the damage is done, it is too late. An investment in training that eliminates confusion and answers questions before they are asked can make all the difference.

Keep good people out of trouble. Ethical missteps are often non-negotiable and career-ending issues. You will not have a choice but to end the employment relationship. An otherwise high-quality and high-potential employee could be working for your competitor because of an avoidable poor decision. Training and development in this area are as important as any other.

Most ethical lapses don’t lead the evening news for days at a time, but they can hurt. Take action to keep your company out of the news for the wrong reasons.

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Learning Dynamics’s award-winning Integrity at Work ® training program features interactive exercises and instruction to help your employees make the right decisions. Our “Guidelines for Ethical Decision Making” job aid will focus decision-makers on the important considerations to protect themselves and your brand. Visit Learning Dynamics for more information about this and all of our training programs and additional services.