As Director of National Sales for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, on an annual basis I am required to comply with our company’s policies on business ethics. Our leadership team firmly believes that fostering strong and consistent standards here is paramount in terms of creating a successful and trusting culture based on accountability.
I agree with this philosophy. Furthermore, it reminds me of something one of my mentors taught me about business practice in general – He said, “How you get there is just as important as getting there.” That concept left a deep impression on me, so on certain occasions I would find myself revisiting that same mentor when faced with difficult decisions. Consequently, he would always tell me the same thing, “I advise you to do what Jiminy Cricket says, ‘Let Your Conscience Be You Guide’.” Now-a-days, I rarely have to contact my mentor when faced with similar circumstances because I have grown to learn Jiminy Cricket’s words of wisdom and recommendation is usually the right path.
Ethics, can be defined in several different ways. One definition explains ethics as “the discipline dealing with what good and bad moral duty obligation.” Another definition describes ethics as, “the principle conduct governing an individual or group.” Perhaps the best interpretation classifies ethics as it pertains to business as being, “confirming to acceptable professional standards of conduct.”
Regardless of what definition explains it best, the fact remains that having knowledge and understanding of government ethics is always a huge plus if you are doing business with U.S. Government. The policies the federal government have on ethics are rigid and precise. These guidelines act as a powerful guiding light in many decision making processes.
In 1978, the Office of Government Ethics established standards on conduct that apply to all government employees. One of the main reasons this was put in place was to protect government employees, their jobs, their reputations as well as the reputation of their agencies.
I have made it my mantra to live by two simple rules as it applies to business ethics. The first, is to always have an understanding of standards and laws of ethics and conduct as it applies to my company and the government. The second is to never expose myself or any government employee to a conflict of interest.
In the final analysis, perhaps Abraham Lincoln summed it all up when he said, “When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”
by Christopher McLaughlin