We are born with many instincts/human Insecurity is an instinct necessary to
traits that are necessary and appropriate survival in all advanced lifeforms.
Importance of Ethics in the
Workplace
Gary Eastes
Risk Manager
City of Knoxville
When we are in control of our insecurities,
they help us survive and be successful.
When our insecurities control us, they can
be a hindrance up to disastrous: witch
trials, red scare, concentration camps
There are two ways to be controlled by
our insecurities: be overwhelmed by them
or pretend they do not exist
Insecurity Begins as a Positive
When we control our ego, it can help us
survive and be successful (Pat Summit)
When our ego controls us, it can be very
disastrous
There are two ways ego can control us:
overwhelm us or if we pretend it is
something else
An ego is not confidence, nor is it pride, it
is a byproduct of insecurity
Self-righteousness is a byproduct of ego
Ego Begins as Positive
as infants.
Society expects / demands that we learn
to control these as we grow up.
Not controlling them can cause improper
or unethical or illegal behavior.
Unethical is sometimes an opinion, but can
quickly become a matter of law.
Ethics are connected to “Growing
Up”
There are numerous methods human
beings use to control our insecurities, and
we each have our own unique styles.
Fight or flight
Confidence, embracing them (Todd
Helton)
Ego, hiding them
Rationalization, changing the perspective
Human Differences
Controlling our rationalizations can help
us survive and be successful. (Glass half
full or half empty?)
Being controlled by our rationalizations
can be a hindrance up to disastrous.
There are two ways to be controlled by
our rationalizations: be overwhelmed by
them or pretend they are not
rationalizations, but reality.
Rationalization Begins as a
Positive
Our insecurities warn us of the dangers in
the world.
Our insecurities also warn us of our own
limitations.
Recognizing insecurities helps us
understand our own behavior.
Recognizing insecurities also helps us
understand the behavior of others.
Everyone is Insecure
What is confidence?
Not being afraid of failure….
Determination….
Fake confidence
Confidence
Leadership is only about communication
of a system of values.
People follow a leader because values
define purpose, and people want purpose.
Unfortunately, the values do not have to
be good values to be a leader.
Organizations were created for the benefit
of people, not people for the benefit of
organizations.
Leadership
Our employees would never do that!
I know when other people do this it is
considered unethical, but I’m doing it for
the right reasons.
I/mine deserve something extra.
It doesn’t harm anyone.
They can afford it.
Nobody will know.
What does all this have to do
with Ethics?
Another trait of human beings is the
tendency to emphasize our strengths to
the point that they become weaknesses.
What I’m good at/what is good about me
is what is most important, so I need to
cooperate with/hire people like me.
Any Good Idea Can be Taken
Too Far
95% of people will steal
if there is no possibility
they will get caught.
A good supervisor supports their
employees./You hire good people and let
them do their job. (Delegating should
never give away responsibility.)
People are essentially good.
People are always self-serving.
It is easier to catch flies with sugar than
with salt.
Any good idea can be
taken too far
It is easier to get forgiveness than
permission.
We don’t need anyone outside sticking their
nose in our business.
Rules are made to be bent (broken).
Our supervisors need the authority to decide
when it is not necessary to follow the rules.
(I know what is safe and what is not safe.)
It is better to cover up mistakes because
acknowledging them makes the organization
look bad.
Rationalizations are shaped by
the values being
communicated
Assuming your employees (any
employees) would never do anything
wrong is irrational.
Little wrongs that are too easy lead to
bigger wrongs.
The best route is often not trying to make
unethical behavior impossible, but
providing visible evidence that getting
caught is possible.
Embarrassment is often the most effective
punishment.
A Little Prevention