One of the more important attributes for small business success is managing with carefully developed principles of high ethical standards. When practiced throughout the organization it becomes part of the image of the company and can be an important factor in overall success and how the community views the business.
The following principles incorporate the characteristics and values that most people associate with ethical behavior.
1. HONESTY.
Ethical executives are honest and truthful in all their dealings and they do not deliberately mislead or deceive others by misrepresentations, overstatements, partial truths, or any other means.
2. INTEGRITY.
Ethical executives demonstrate personal integrity and the courage of their convictions by doing what they think is right even when there is great pressure to do otherwise.
3. LOYALTY.
Ethical executives are worthy of trust, demonstrate loyalty to persons and institutions by friendship in adversity, support and devotion to duty; they do not use or disclose information learned in confidence for personal advantage.
4. FAIRNESS.
Ethical executives and fair and just in all dealings; they do not exercise power arbitrarily, and do not use overreaching nor indecent means to gain any advantage nor take advantage of another’s mistakes or difficulties.
5. LEADERSHIP.
Ethical executives are conscious of the responsibilities of their position of leadership and seek to be positive ethical role models by their own conduct and by helping to create an environment in which principled reasoning and ethical decision making are highly valued.
Certainly there are many other attributes that may be considered. I hope these few examples serve as suggestions for how your business might be governed.
Please let me know your thoughts: gerry@polarisgroupmc.com
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