The same old game in business ethics continues on without interruption as bosses are blind to their own employees. What is their problem?
In a large word, they are the problem and the prevailing training is missing the mark. Despite trying to create values based cultures……….
the business ethics practiced are dictated by command-and-control and top-down management.
The Boston Research Group surveyed thousands of employees and 43% saw their employer’s culture as leadership by coercion and 54% as top-down with some skilled leadership, but lots of rules in place.
Get this: only 3% fell into the category of self-governance- where everyone is “guided by a set of core principles and values that inspire everyone to align around a company’s mission.”
You might be asking where I am going with this subject of business ethics?
Leadership by coercion and blindly following marching orders is a serious problem.
You know why? Over one half of the respondents in this group have observed unethical behavior. Only 25% are likely to blow the whistle.
Anotherwords, poor ethical behavior continues without sanctions, penalties, or job loss.
There is a serious gap between top management in companies and their employees. Do bosses really believe they practice good business ethics and values?
Amazingly, they do. Its not even close to winter yet and bosses continue to snow the snowmen. They are eight times more likely than the average worker to believe that their companies are self-governing!!
Their blindness continues as the gaps grow.
The lack of good business ethics and values often impedes innovation and good ideas. I mean, why in hell would an average worker be inspired to produce a great idea in an unethical culture?
I’m not suggesting that there aren’t some excellent examples of big companies who innovate, self-govern, and promote highly accountable and ethical environments. I’m simply saying that statistically they are in the minority by a long shot.
Employees rarely agree with their bosses on the important issues and the disagreement gaps are wide. Let me give you a big example.
41% of bosses say their companies and organizations reward performance based on values rather than on financial results. Only 14% of employees swallow this garbage.
As I have said many times before, you cannot practice good business ethics without practicing good personal ethics.
When bosses become more transparent by disclosing what they are all about, namely identifying their morals, principles, and values, I believe this would be a step in the right direction.
It is time for bosses to become leaders. They must teach, enrich, and develop their employees in ways that allow for personal growth and contribution to the enterprise.
Otherwise, the amount of distrust will only increase and the levels of loyalty will dwindle.
Strive to do the right thing and good business ethics will follow.
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