Ethics 101 Mainline Association for Continuing Education Penn State Great Valley August 25, 2016 Troy Knott Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team

Learning Objectives A commitment to making ethical decisions A commitment to living an ethical life A commitment to always doing the right thing

What ever Happened to Business Ethics?

What are Ethics? DEFINITION a set of moral principles rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad

The Ethical Dilemma DEFINITION An undesirable or unpleasant choice relating to a moral principle or practice.

The Ethical Dilemma WHY ETHICS ARE IN A TERRIBLE STATE? We do what’s most convenient We do what we must to win We rationalize our choices with relativism

A Change in the Wind SOME CURRENT MARKETPLACE SOLUTIONS Outsource Ethics Instruction Perform an Ethical Flea Dip Rely on the Law

It’s Personal TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE Do you expect the same from yourself as you expect from others?

The Bottom Line on Ethics  Companies dedicated to doing the right things have more profitability than those who don’t  The foundation for moral character must start with the individual  Shortcuts never pay off

WHY THIS RULE IS GOLDEN

Rate Yourself I am always ethical I am mostly ethical I am somewhat ethical I am seldom ethical I am never ethical

Ethics Matter The Golden Rule is an integrity guideline for any situation.

One Rule For Everyone Christianity Islam Judaism Buddism Hinduism Bahai Zoroastrianism Confucianism Jainism Yoruba Proverb

Two Points to Ethics 1. A standard to follow 2. The will to follow it

Why Adopt the Golden Rule? The Golden Rule is accepted by most people The Golden Rule is easy to understand The Golden Rule is a win-win philosophy The Golden Rule is a compass when you need direction

BEGINS WITH YOU THE GOLDEN RULE BEGINS WITH YOU

How Do People Want To Be Treated? They want to be valued They want to be appreciated They want to be trusted They want to be respected They want to be understood They do not want others to take advantage of them

LIVING A 24-KARAT GOLD LIFE

Character Counts Character is more than talk Talent is a gift—character is a choice Character brings lasting success with people People cannot rise above the limitation of their character

Character Counts 4 GUIDELINES TO ETHICAL EXCELLENCE 1. Adopt the Golden Rule as the Integrity Guideline for your life “How would I like to be treated in this situation?”

Character Counts 4 GUIDELINES TO ETHICAL EXCELLENCE 2. Make your decisions based on this Integrity Guideline decisions, not conditions, determine your ethics wrong decisions leave scars the more people involved, the greater the pressure for conformity inaction is also a decision

Character Counts 4 GUIDELINES TO ETHICAL EXCELLENCE 3. Manage your decisions based on this Integrity Guideline you create ethical predictability in your life

Character Counts 4 GUIDELINES TO ETHICAL EXCELLENCE 4. Ask others to hold you accountable for your actions integrity is the foundation of a person’s life, and accountability is the cornerstone

5 FACTORS THAT CAN TARNISH THE GOLDEN RULE

Compromising Ethics 1. Pressure When facing pressure, ask yourself these questions: Am I going to make rash emotional decisions? Am I going to compromise the truth? Am I going to take shortcuts? Am I going to keep my commitments? Am I going to bow to others’ opinions? Am I going to make promises I can’t keep?

Compromising Ethics 2. Pleasure Develop Discipline Avoid temptation Delay gratification

Compromising Ethics 3. Power People susceptible to power issues: Reception of power – not ready for it Abuse of power – self-serving Loss of power – when power is abused

Compromising Ethics 4. Pride An exaggerated sense of self-worth Interferes with performance Blinds person to their faults others’ needs ethical pitfalls

Compromising Ethics 5. Priorities If not known, liable to make poor decisions

SEIZING YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Developing Strong Character Take responsibility for your actions Develop personal discipline (time, energy, goals, moods) Know your weaknesses Align your priorities with your values Admit wrongdoing quickly and ask forgiveness Take extra care with finances Put family ahead of work Place high value on people

HOW TO DEVELOP THE “MIDAS TOUCH”

It’s Not About You Treat people better than they treat you Walk the second mile Help people who can’t help you Do right when it’s natural to do wrong Keep your promises even when it hurts

The Gold Standard Quiz #1 Name the three wealthiest people in the world Name the last three Heisman trophy winners Name the last three winners of the Miss America contest Name three people who have won the Nobel prize Name the last three Academy Award winners for best actor Name the last three World Series winners

The Gold Standard Quiz #2 Name three teachers who inspired you to achieve in school Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time Name three people who taught you something worthwhile Name three people who made you feel appreciated and special Name three people with whom you enjoy spending time Name three heroes whose stories have inspired you

The Gold Standard What’s the Difference? Quiz #1 – Successful people in their fields, but what impact have they made on the world and you? Quiz #2 – Caring people who focused on others and added value to your life. People with the Midas Touch with others create a legacy that outlives them.

GO FOR THE GOLDEN RULE

Gold or the Golden Rule? Set the direction for your life What do you want to achieve? What goals have you set for yourself? Where do you want your career to take you? What impact do you desire to make?

Gold or the Golden Rule? Set the tone for how you will live How do you plan to achieve your goals? advance in your career? make an impact?

Gold or the Golden Rule? People who go for the GoldPeople who go for the Golden Rule Ask, “what can you do for me?”Ask, “what can I do for you?” Make convenient decisionsMake character decision Sacrifice family for financesSacrifice finance for family Develop a rationale for their actions Development relationships with their actions Possess a “me first” mind-setPossess an “others first” mind-set Count their dollarsCount their friends Base their values on their worthBase their worth on their values

Will You Commit? To making ethical decisions To living an ethical life To always doing the right thing

Thank You! Troy Knott Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team