How do you define Professional and Personal ethics?

Program words of wisdom:-
"Program management is just common sense - the trouble is common sense isn't very common in many organisation".

I am still job hunting after being lay ed-off and had been applying jobs from many companies. One of the potential employer requires me to write a 700 words essay on "How do you define Professional and Personal ethics? ". Here is what I had submitted and I do pray some kind organisation will employ me.

PERSONAL ETHNICS, integrity and honesty will strongly influence a person's professional ethical conduct and are essential elements in a trusted leader.

Personal convictions to instinctively do what is right, defers individually on each of us to sense when we are off course and then initiate immediate correction. I am firmly convinced that integrity must be built from within.

My dad, a retired Army officer since 1983, had instilled a very strict upbringing on the family. Personal ethnics and convictions develop from family, community, education, religious/spiritual upbringing, and peer influence. The effect of is obvious as mention in the Bible: "Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33). We know drugs, fraud, lying and cheating result from the influence of peers.

We do understand that "honesty and integrity have been replaced in many business by a win-at-any-cost attitude that puts quality, expediency and personal gain above all else." This would not work for very long term business relationship to maintain.

Personal ethnics are the 'stuff' we absorb from our parents and immediate surroundings till adulthood of how we 'should' behave in any given situation and in the face of difficult situations.

Personal or Professional Ethnics decisions are as follows.
1. Justice versus mercy; that fairness, equity, and even-handed of the law often conflict with compassion, empathy, and love.
2. Short-term versus long-term: decisions when immediate needs or desires run counter to future goals or prospects.
3. Individual versus company; or as us versus them, self versus others,

PROFESSIONAL ETHNICS values that I would define as most important were responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty.

RESPONSIBILITY; to take ownership for the decisions we make, the corrective actions we take, and the consequences that result based on the best interests of the company.
We fulfill the commitments that we undertake (we do what we say we will do) that are consistent with the company’s capability, our background, experience, skills, and qualifications.
We protect confidential information and uphold the policies, regulations and laws that govern our work, and profession.
We have to report unethical or illegal conduct, example; theft, fraud or bribery to management and to those affected by the conduct when they are proven by facts.

RESPECT; showing a high regard for ourselves, others, and the resources entrusted to us which may include people, money, and reputation of others.
Respect engenders trust, confidence, and performance excellence by fostering mutual cooperation — an environment where diverse views are encouraged.
We listen to others’ points of view, seeking to understand them and approach directly those persons with whom we have a conflict to negotiate. This will avoid gossip and negative remarks to undermine another person’s reputation.
We should not abuse our position to influence the decisions or actions of others in order to benefit personally at their expense.

FAIRNESS; to act impartially and objectively, free from competing self interest, prejudice, and favoritism by demonstrating transparency in our decision-making process.
We award opportunities equally and equal access to information to those who are authorized to have that information.
We avoid conflict of interest by making full disclosure to the affected stakeholders and after obtaining the consent of the stakeholders to proceed.
Favoritism and Discrimination would be to hire or fire, reward or punish, or award or deny contracts based on personal considerations or discriminate against others based on gender, race, age, religion or disability.

HONESTY; to act in a truthful manner in our communications to provide accurate and reliable information in a timely manner.
The confidence to share truthful bad news even when it may be poorly received or negative outcome without burying information or shifting blame to others.
We avoid taking credit for the positive achievements of others. Professionals should create an environment in which others feel safe to tell the truth.
We do not engage in behavior that is designed to deceive others, making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, providing information out of context or withholding information that would render our statements as misleading or incomplete with intention of personal gain or at the expense of another.
Professional develops credibility by providing complete and accurate information.


Kacak5 Management