Ethical decision making is something we all refine as we face inevitable life and work situations that challenge our moral ground.
What we can do best for people entering the work world is to teach them how to be in touch with, and how to develop, their internal moral compasses.
Ethics are important to teach at intake/orientation. But, especially now, it’s critical that we not relegate ethics to an orientation session or even to a semester long course. It’s not the kind of subject you can just deposit information, ask for it back on a test and call it an education. The current financial crisis is a symptom of a diseased moral foundation and until we better address the underlying condition, no amount of regulations or employee orientations will bring us to stable ground.
Ongoing coaching and good training supports people as they move up the chain in negotiating the increasingly complicated ethical dilemmas they face. I currently do values development work with United Nations departmental leaders in NY and have an international coaching practice where I support successful leaders (usually by phone), professionals and entrepreneurs through countless moral considerations and other professional concerns. I’d be happy to talk further: 610-566-9927 (EST) and you can see more about coaching at: www.jonicarley.com All the best in addressing this incredibly crucial issue.
