It’s a slippery slope when you begin to rationalize actions and tell yourself and others, “This is an exceptional situation,” or, “We have to bend the rules a little to get things done here,” writes Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg. No matter how principled you are, you must recognize that, over time, the bearings of your moral compass will shift toward the culture of your organization or team.
Over time we mimic the norms and values of those around us. Lapses in ethics tend to grow out of small, everyday bad behaviors. It can be tempting to bend the rules when the pressure is on, so talk to your team about the ethics standards you want them to adhere to. Discuss what’s OK, what isn’t, and where the line is.
Source: Harvard Business Review, April 12, 2019. Link. The author outlines three psychological dynamics that lead to crossing ethical lines: omnipotence; cultural numbness; justified neglect.
INSIGHTS: With four generations now working side-by-side, the moral compass is a critical cultural consideration. Wedell-Wedellsborg describes the challenges and offers some checks and balances.
. . . would <you> be comfortable telling a journalist or a judge about what’s going on?