How Do You Define Integrity Within Your Business Ethics Or Business Values Statement?
Recently during a radio interview, one of the hosts made this statement:
Integrity is putting your values into action. Robin Siemens
Immediately, I jotted down this incredibly powerful definition because Robin had not only defined the word, but more importantly connected the word to performance. So many words are used to define business ethics and yet the lack of actual demonstrated ethics still remains very high within business and the rest of our society. One can only read the paper or listen to the media about “corporate greed” how how this corruption culture has damaged our country.
The reason for this disconnect is because the definition is not connected to any measurable action. By taking the word beyond the cognitive state and making it about behaviors, Robin now is walking the talk as some would say.
So, how do you define integrity for your business? If you cannot define key words within the values statement located inside of your strategic plan, you are trying to hit a moving target. Yes, moving targets can be hit, but it takes far more effort. Also, there does exist a greater likelihood of missing the target.
After you define integrity for your business, then how are you connecting to your daily business actions? Alignment is a key when making connections between the values statement and the actual behaviors of your employees and even yourself.
A recent survey of employees indicated that many managers lacked business ethics. The old Do as I say and Not as I do appears to be still very much alive in corporate America regardless of the size of the organization.
Since another survey indicated that bad attitudes which are a definite result of bad ethics are the reason for 68% of customers not returning. Take that with the knowledge that people leave managers and not organizations should be reason enough to construct and implement a values statement right now.
Then maybe you will be able to clearly articulate what integrity to respect means within your code of business ethics. And who knows some day when you are on the radio, you can quickly share your definition just like Robin did.
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Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. is a speaker and Indianapolis business coach & Chicago business coach who has written hundreds of articles with a focus on improving individual and organizational performance through excellence in leadership to executable strategic plans.
