Some years ago, a senior executive told me that if someone was disposed to unethical behavior, you could not teach him otherwise. There is truth in what he said because if one is inclined to do something unethical, they will do it. Unless the consequences of such an action are made known.
Years later, a retired CEO told me that he was proud of an organization for dismissing a senior leader who had crossed the line in his behavior. Doing so sent a message throughout the company that such transgressions were unacceptable and would be dealt with summarily.
In both instances, these senior leaders demonstrated what we might call moral clarity: proclaiming what is right and what is wrong, and holding people accountable for their actions. Moral clarity becomes the North Star that employees know and are expected to act accordingly.
Morality is rooted in character — how you act when you think no one is watching. Morality is immutable, even if we humans are sometimes not.
Instilling moral clarity
Our military instills such moral clarity with every service person, from basic training to assuming a flag officer position; these men and women are expected to know the moral code and abide by it. And as dictated by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, if they are ordered to do something illegal, it is their duty to fail to obey that order. Failure to abide by such moral dictates could land them in jail.
Executives who exert moral clarity make it clear what is honorable and dishonorable, and those who dishonor the code will have consequences. Author James Baldwin notes that with authority comes power. “But the relationship of morality and power is a very subtle one. Because ultimately, power without morality is no longer power.”
Discipline is essential
Moral clarity imposes discipline on the self and the organization. That is, when failure to abide by ethical standards carries a penalty. Without discipline, their morality becomes situational, that is, do what you can when you can. At the same time, our morality is entwined with our humanity. As much as we proclaim our moral code, we may fall short.
What then? Well, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer posited, “Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.” In other words, keep to your moral code, but if you fall short, show yourself some grace. And do the same for others.
Live your code
In any discussion of morality, as important as it is, it must be grounded in behavior. Marcus Aurelius admonished us by writing, “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” In short, demonstrate your moral clarity by living it.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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