Ethics and Reputation

Many people talk about ethics and reputation but do not really understand how it relates to their professional career. Stated very simply, people buy from people they know and trust. If you know someone well and that when they promise or say something, you know they will deliver, you are watching reputation in action. One thing you must always remember is that you only have One Name. Your name must always be associated with a flawless reputation in that when you make a promise, it will be fulfilled.

Professional ethics is very serious and should never be taken lightly. Ethics is what separates people and inspires trust. If you are known for always doing the right thing even when no one else is looking, you have ethics. One way to look at this is to think of something you are about to do and would you want it published in the Washington Post newspaper. If you are proud of what and how you accomplished a task, then you pass. If you cut some corners and stretched the truth to accomplish the task, then you have failed the ethics test.

There are times you are going to encounter someone that failed you previously and you are going to need to make the decision if they warrant a second chance. If you are in such a situation that requires you to engage with someone who failed you, I would first question how they failed you and why. Was the situation unusual and the expectations were not clear or was it quite cut and dry, and did you feel contempt or anger the first time. If the latter is the case, then I suggest you avoid any dealings with this individual. From your previous interaction, they have now established their reputation and they are now in a situation of having tarnished it and created a lack of trust. Once you create this stigma, you can never erase it.

There are times you may need to use a friendship to accomplish a task. You need to assess the situation to decide if it is ethical to engage someone in this way. First remember that friendship is a powerful resource but it must be used wisely. You never want to put yourself into a situation where you burn your relationship with someone. So now carefully consider why you need the help from this individual, and what could happen to your relationship if things do not go well. Sometimes it is best to ask for their guidance rather than asking them to get seriously involved. If you push them, you may accomplish the task you set out to complete but you are now in a position of possibly compromising them. Consider quite carefully how much help from them you truly require.

Ted Miller, CHME CHSP, CGTP, CGMP, HMCC