The Tao of Ethics
One of my favorite spiritual guides is the “Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu. Loosely translated, this means the Way of Virtue. It includes the concepts of integrity, self-control, and inner knowledge. The Tao Te Ching is the main text of Taoism which believes in the basic tenet that all things should live in balance with the universe.
Tao means the Way, and it is a path to being a better human and finding that universal balance. In the modern world, ethics are “the way” to make the world a better place by making us better individuals. The core of ethics is showing the world what type of person you are through your actions and choices. It also offers us a way to model the behavior we would like to see in the world.
Ethics in the workplace are more important than ever as we see an increase in reported unethical behavior and a rise in retaliation. The Ethics & Compliance Initiative conducts regular surveys of the workplace and the trends are heading in the wrong direction. Learn more about their data here.
We might feel as an individual that there is not much that we can do to make the workplace better but you can make a difference by choosing to be ethical. This is not always comfortable and sometimes it may seem more trouble than its worth due to the repercussions that can occur like being on “the outs” with your boss and coworkers, missing out on opportunities, or even harassment and intimidation.
If you are in the situation you need to ask yourself: Do I really want to work in a place that could improve but then punishes people for trying to do better? I’d dust off that resume and start looking in that situation.
In the nonprofit world, we should be held to a higher standard of behavior. Our existence is based on the special role we play in society and the world -- we do work that helps others rise rather than focusing on profits. While nonprofits need income to support mission fulfillment, we don’t exist to enrich stockholders. We exist to feed and clothe those who need it; we exist to provide education to those who can’t access it; we exist to support research into diseases or social ills; we exist to make professions and industries better.
Yet despite our unique role in the world, there is story after story of bad behavior by senior leadership and board members. Staff feel they can’t speak up and there are countless tales of bad bosses that intimidate and hold back those on their team. Too often, people working at these organizations become frustrated and discouraged and they don’t think that their behavior will make a difference.
But it does matter and it does make a difference. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Even if you don’t think you are being successful in creating change at your organization, and you eventually leave, your choices have set an example that could inspire others.
Knowing and understanding ethics and why they are important, not just at work but in every aspect of our lives, leads us to a path of self-knowledge and empathy for others. Ethics is the way to understand ourselves and what we believe in and what we want to put into the world. In the long run, an ethical mindset is the way to a better world now and in the future. Ethical living provides the balance in the universe.
