Do the Right Thing

When growing up did your parents tell you to do the right thing? Now at work, does your boss tell you and your co-workers to do the right thing? Unfortunately, we too often hear about the wrong thing whether it’s someone lying, cheating, or breaking the law. These cases are often clearly wrong. But there are many situations in which it is difficult to know what is the right thing to do.

What are Ethics?

The study of ethics examines the rational justification for our moral judgments — what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust.

How Do You Know What is Right and What is Wrong?

I remember interviewing Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, for my Pursuit of Passionate Purpose research and book. A highly ethical person, he stressed that you would know the right thing to do by asking yourself, “Would I want to read a story on the front page of the New York Times of me doing this? If not, don’t do it.”

There may be no absolute right or wrong, but each person has an ethical framework they don’t want to violate. Here are a few ways to help distinguish your own right and wrong:

1. Use your conscience. Some would say that we know the ethical value of right and wrong by listening to our conscience. That still, small voice inside is what tells us whether something is right or wrong. However, others suggest that this approach is circular, since one’s conscience is once’s sense of right versus wrong.

2. Use the four-way test. Rotary International has developed the four-way test as guide to recognizing the right choice. It provides a simple checklist for ethical behavior, relating to what we think, say, and do.

• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Known worldwide, this test is useful because it provides a practical means for doing the right thing.

3. Code of ethics. Many professional organizations have developed a set of ethical rules of conduct. For example, as a Certified Management Consultant® with the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), I pledge to follow their Code of Ethics, part of which states “to serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, using a professional approach at all times.”

My Story

I found that ethical challenges occur in both the private and public sectors.

I served as a board member of an organization where one of the board’s most important roles was to hire, oversee and fire the CEO. An employee of this organization reached out to me in confidence. The CEO was treating her unprofessionally and was demanding certain actions which were not in line with her values. Without revealing the employee’s identity, I went to our corporate counsel. They recommended that the employee file a written complaint. When I spoke with the employee, I gave her moral support to resist the pressure and do what was right. I suggested that she could file written a complaint with Human Resources. She did find the courage to take my advice and submitted a complaint. A legal investigation was undertaken.

In the end, I was able to provide advice to the employee on how to do the right thing. It ultimately bettered the work environment in the organization and gave the board evidence to do its job.

Practical Pointers for Doing the Right Thing

• Define your core values. Be clear on what you stand for. Let others know what those values are.
• Learn the four-way test. Use it as a tool to help you discern what is right.
• Develop your own code of ethics. Build on examples of others, such as professionals in credible organizations. Live by this code.
• As a leader, make it easy for your people to do the right thing. It’s your responsibility to provide the rules and structure so people know what to do and what not to do.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. is a tech and cybersecurity-savvy C-level executive, 3x tech entrepreneur, Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), and Certified Corporate Director (NACD.DC) who is the Managing Director of Government Sourcing Solutions.   She is the former State of Colorado Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Colorado CIO of the Year.  She researched, authored, and speaks about her best-selling book Pursuit of Passionate Purpose:  Success Strategies for a Rewarding Personal and Business Life. 

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