Mark S. Putnam, founder of Character Training International (CTI), understands the dilemma of making ethics training meaningful, since ethics can be boiled down to bad guys are bad and good guys are good. Just do the right thing and you’ll stay out of trouble. Most rational adults know this and wasting so much precious time is unnecessary.
But Putnam points out that the problem with this line of thinking is that: (1) it’s not true, and (2) it glosses over an area of vast importance to our character, way of life, and happiness.
Ethics is anything but a no-brainer. The reason people might believe the contrary is that they limit their perspective to the obvious and fail to see meaningful principles that lie beneath. Let’s explore some examples:
Unlimited employee HR training—one low cost—no setup, no software to install. Find out why the Software & Information Industry Association voted TrainingToday® the “Best Workforce Training Solution.” Go here for more information or to sign up.
Obvious: “The company is simply required to conduct ethics training.”
Past the Obvious to Meaningful: True, required ethics training is a given these days, but consider what your work-life would be like without it. Consider working day-to-day alongside a group of people without clear moral behavioral guidance. What would it be like to work for a company with nonexistent core values? What kind of atmosphere would ensue? Ethics training creates an absolutely critical common understanding of what is right and good at work. You may not always agree, but the standard is set. It brings unity in areas of personal behavior that human nature tends to scatter in every direction. In a moral sense, it creates a level playing field so everyone is on the same page.
Obvious: “Good ethics is obvious.”
Past the Obvious to Meaningful: Since most people tend to associate with like-minded people, it’s no surprise that we think that everyone thinks and behaves the same as we do. Well, they don’t. If you put a basic ethical principle such as, “What is lying?” in front of a group of people, you will see argument, debate, and divisiveness. We soon discover that everything is up for interpretation.
Ethics is not as obvious as it seems. Life is full of conflicting moral choices that require us to prefer one set of values over another. Ethics training is needed to clarify ethical boundaries and give people the necessary tools to make choices. It mandates what is right or wrong in the workplace rather than leaving it up to the individual to decide.
Obvious: “People are good and don’t need ethics training.”
Past the Obvious to Meaningful: For centuries, philosophers have debated the question, “Are human beings innately good?” Although the goodness of humans will continue to be debated for ages to come, in the context of business ethics, the assumption is made that humans need as much help as they can get. The odds are stacked against people, with history and human nature providing ample evidence. Even the concept of right or wrong evolves on many levels within a culture. It’s simply not enough to assume that people are good and that they will make good choices. Ethics training not only speaks to the bad people but also serves as a wake-up call to the rest of us. Just knowing that the odds are stacked against us prepares us for the inevitable when we find ourselves where we shouldn’t be. It is good and healthy to consider our moral state and get a tune-up once in a while.
No time to prepare or deliver training? With BLR’s TrainingToday, your employees can start taking essential training courses the same day you sign up. Workers (and supervisors) train at their convenience, 24/7. We track and you save with this turnkey solution. Yes, it really can be this simple. Learn more.
Make an effort to look past the obvious. The next time you read the corporate values statement hanging in the lobby, think about the meaning of those words. Think about the values by which you live. Appreciate the fact that you live and work in a culture that has them. Don’t shortchange yourself with the obvious, but see past it to the meaningful. Walk into that ethics training room ready to think, question, and learn.
Mark S. Putnam is an author, editor, and founder of Character Training International (CTI), which now operates exclusively under the Global Ethics University (GEU) banner (www.globalethicsuniversity.com). For more information, visit their website or call 1-877-77ETHIC (toll-free).
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll give practical ethics training tips—and examine valuable turnkey solution for your HR training needs.