Social Ethics and Integrity



Maintaining social ethics in the workplace and at home is something you should always be doing. 

This includes being honest. Honesty is something based on your values and morals and is ingrained in you.  It's not something that you do some of the time and ignore at other times. 

It's part of your personal makeup and helps determine the path you want your future to take.  So, be sincere and honest in all circumstances, whether someone sees it or not.

Ethics in the workplace and at home is important to your integrity.  You want to be honest and straightforward because it keeps you strong. 

If you tend to cut corners to make yourself look good, it will eventually catch up with you.  Every time you do something that cuts corners, people will begin to judge you and lose trust in your quality as a person. 

Socail Ethics

You might make mistakes.  Everyone does at some time or another.  If you've made a mistake and you know you did the wrong thing, then you're better off letting others know what you did. 

Yes, you will be judged, but you will also be trusted because you're honest.  Other people will believe in you and give you another chance.


Ethical Leadership

When you end up doing something wrong, then use your ethical leadership by admitting it and not trying to make someone else take the blame.

Look at the example of two young women working on a project with technical difficulties where things didn't work out.  One of the women did something wrong. 

The other woman could have blamed her because she didn't hold her end of the bargain up.  Instead, she chose to take an equal amount of blame because both of them worked on the project and contributed to the problem. 

The one young woman admitted the mistake and felt better about herself.  She stood up for what was right instead of always having to be on the defensive and explain her actions. 

When you're always on the defensive, you become unsure of yourself and it eventually affects how others see her.

In some situations, it might work best to let certain things go and move on to the next thing.  Don't try to correct the situation.  Especially when it won't affect the outcome of the project. 

You will need to depend on your abilities and social ethics and know that you're getting the job done the right way.  In this case, the outcome is more important than the recognition.

For example, a doctor was hiking and came across another hiker that fell and broke his leg.  Rather than following procedure and having the right medical equipment, the doctor used what he had around him to make a splint.  It still helps the injured hiker even if it wasn't done with official medical supplies.


To help build your integrity and social ethics in the workplace, there are several ethical leadership strategies you can follow:


  • Treat others how you wish to be treated yourself.


  • Always be honest and sincere with yourself and others.  Make your decisions based upon facts, not emotions.


  • Spend time with honest people.  Limit your association with those that aren't sincere.


  • Bring it to someone's attention when you see someone being dishonest.  Ignoring the situation doesn't resolve it.  Don't be afraid to say something.


  • Set an example.  Always show that honesty and integrity is an important value.  Recognize others in a positive way when they do the right thing.


  • Put all your effort into every situation, whether it's work or family related.


  • Say no to requests where you cannot give total commitment.


  • Follow through on your obligations to yourself and others.


  • Do what you say you're going to do.  Don't use excuses to get out of something.


  • If you're wrong, then admit it.  People will see you as human because everyone makes mistakes.


  • Always be nice to people.  Bring out the good in them.  Instead of finding things wrong with someone, focus on their positive qualities.


  • Everyone has slip-ups from time to time.   Make it right, learn from it and apply that knowledge to the next situation.


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