How personal experiences and values shape individual ethical development

Personal Ethics Development

For an individual, group of individuals or even a business organization to succeed; it is necessary to come up with or develop well defined rules of engagement and behavior or set of ethics which are adhered to by each and every individual across the board. In most places all over the world, acts like making other people suffer (on purpose), stealing or even dishonesty are taken to be unethical. It is this view that informs the development of codes of conduct which are in some cases tailored to conform to specific cultural setups.

The Development of Ethics

According to Trevino and Nelson (2007), ethics can be taken to be those standards as well as norms and principles which govern the very conduct of an individual or several individuals. It therefore follows that well developed ethical standards play a critical role in group cohesion in addition to facilitating a harmonious working environment between individuals. As a matter of fact, proper development of ethical standards as well as the ability and willingness of people to be bound by these standards is the very foundation of human civilization. According to Josephson Institute (2009), ethical behavior is brought out by basic values which are christened the "six pillars" on which an individual's character is founded. Three of these values include citizenship, caring and responsibility.

It can be noted that in most cases, an individual's ethical standards or character starts to develop soon after birth. It is from an early age that children learn, or are taught, how to distinguish that which is inherently right from that which is considered wrong. Through an observation of how those around them behave, children are able to develop a character that is in conformity with the expectations of the society. Throughout my life, a significant portion of my ethics development has been informed by behavioral observation; be it in relation to those I interact with, my family or seniors.

Further, as an individual grows older, the experiences he or she encounters could have a significant impact on his or her ethics development. For instance, my definition of morals as well as ethics has largely been shaped by not only those I have interacted with in the past but by my religious affiliation as well. With that in mind, it can be noted that an individual's behavior and interrelation with others in the society is largely shaped by the ethics and values he or she develops over a given time period.

My Ethics: Effects and Relevance

When it comes to the character of an individual, the need for consistency cannot be overstated in relation to the various aspects of a person's life. Indeed, it is an individual's moral code or personal value system that tends to be reflected into the day-to-day work setting eventually mutating into what is referred to as ethical business behavior.

It can be noted that the "treat everybody fairly" ethical statute is instrumental in securing both the emotional as well as physical well being of people across the board. It would be my wish for each and every individual I interact with to be more 'aware' of others instead of reverting to exclusion. In my view, the adoption of such a premise would go a long way in smoothening relations be it at the work setting or otherwise as people become motivated to embrace concessions in a way that would end up being advantageous across the board.

Personally, I apply the moral statute in almost every situation I come across. For instance, I have in the past avoided rubbing colleagues the wrong way by first reflecting on how my actions are likely to impact on them. This is more so in scenarios presenting serious moral dilemmas. For example, there are some instances where blaming the nearest person for a botched up undertaking or any other failure seems like the only way out. In such situations, I often ask myself, "would I be treating my friend or colleague fairly by using them as a scapegoat?" In basic terms, it all boils down to being aware of the consequences our actions have on others whom we live or work with.

The Need for Ethics: An Organizational Consideration

To begin with, ethics inform a more predictive environment in the work setting. The establishment of a well defined ethics code standardizes behavior in a way that allows for the smooth running of organizational processes. Secondly, as Mandal (2010) notes, an organization is likely to derive a distinct competitive advantage simply by implementing ethics in a manner that can be seen to be proactive whilst ensuring that the same is viewed as a corporate strategy. In this case, the organization could easily build trust and a reputation that is simply unassailable for continued growth. Some of the organizations that have been on the receiving end for failure to adhere to proposed ethical standards include WorldCom and Enron (Mandal 2010). Lastly, studies have shown that organizations having in place a corporate code of ethics tend to attract top notch employees. In a world that is swiftly becoming a global village, attracting the most talented workforce is critical for any organization that wants to remain relevant going forward.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be noted that for the various activities within any society of group to run efficiently, well developed ethical standards are critical. Hence effectively, a standard ethical code remains one of the main pillars of a just and progressive society. However, though the behaviors acceptable within a certain group are in most cases developed and governed by the concerned group, it remains the responsibility of each individual to guarantee conformity to such standards of behavior.