Personal Ethics

Personal Ethics Development

Benjamin Enuma

PHL/323

December 1, 2014

Edward Peet

Abstract

Most organizations have come to realize that business ethics is essential to the success and survival of businesses. However, individual view of what is right or wrong is truly what influences most business ethics and organizational behavior. This paper examines how personal ethics are developed and the correlation between personal ethics and business ethics. The purpose is to evaluate the importance of ethics in business and the effect of organizational ethics on individuals, organizations, and society.

Using myself as a reference point, this paper focused on my underlying ethical system, primary principles, and the sources that helped shaped my personal ethics. It closes with a discussion of the effect of my personal ethics on my performance the criteria and factors I used to revise or refine my personal ethics.

Development of Personal Ethics

In a general sense, ethics is "the principles, norms and standards of conduct governing an individual or group." It is "systematic attempt to make sense of our individual and social experience, in such a way as to determine the rules that ought to govern human conduct, the values worth pursuing, and the character deserving development in life" (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). Personal ethics and values are shaped by several factors such as one's culture, Family, religion, environment, and the society in general. These factors, however, may have varying degree or level of impact on an individual.

Underlying Ethical System and Principles

My parents taught me traditional and scriptural values that became the framework for my upbringing. My ethical system is structured around the notion that, as an imperfect human, I am born with limitations and cannot successfully direct my steps without divine guidance from my creator. So, my personal ethics is virtue-based and shaped by such moral principles as having a personal relationship with my creator, strong family ties, humility, honesty, and education. I was taught that obeying my parent is a command from God and my happiness depends on it. I learned early in my life about family diversity and the importance of appreciating and maintaining family unity. I endeavor to be modest and humble because I know I am imperfect and have many inadequacies. I make it a point of duty to reflect honesty and integrity in all my dealings with people even when it is not the easy option for me. I was made to see the benefits of learning and acquiring useful knowledge, even when it involves paying a price.

Sources and Remarkable Events

There were some sources and remarkable events that not only shaped my personal values and ethics but also helped me refine and put into actions my personal values and ethics. For instance, I was born into a family with lowly background. My parents struggled to earn a living and could barely provide the basic needs of the family. Their insistence on living by bible standards such as honesty and not taking vengeance seem to affect their chances to make quick money as others. In fact, my mom would always criticize my dad for not been aggressive and ambitious like others. On one occasion, my dad was pressured by my mom to take legal action against a man who defaulted on his contract with him for a deal worth $8,000. The reason for not taking that option is simply because the man is a fellow Christian. The Bible frowns at Christians dragging a fellow brother to the court. So, my dad decided to let go that huge sum of money even when the family is in dire need of it because he does not want to compromise his moral principles. That incident affected my view of money and how I relate with fellow Christians; it became a turning moment for me and shaped my ethical system. Though it was difficult for us to comprehend his decision then, I later took solace in the fact that our family was contented and moved on with the little we had.

The Importance of Business Ethics

Personal ethics are integral to attitude formation and to how we respond to people and situations. On the other hand, organizational or business ethics and values are norms, ideas, and principles that guide the way things are done in the organization. Businesses are owned and managed by individuals with various backgrounds and ideas. There exist a strong correlation between personal ethics and business ethics because employees' personal values can influence the conduct of an organization, especially when the organizational values are not well internalized.

Alignment of Personal Ethics with Business Ethics

Granted, there would be some differences between personal ethics and business ethics, however, once the statement of values and ethics has been adopted by the organization, its employees should align their individual values