Ethical values in my job in the sense that I love them so much

My set of personal ethical values Writing about the ethical values I consider when making an ethical decision is slightly difficult, given that I hardly ponder on them unless I face a real dilemma, which, as a matter of fact, is not usual. However, after some reflection, I find that the foundations of such decisions rely on the following values: Honesty: Knowing where I stand with myself and with other people, is germane to any decision I take that may affect, either myself or someone else. Care: Implicit and slightly overlapping with the other values, and yet relevant in the sense that my considerations, towards myself and others, need to careful. No matter the action, it must be positive or neutral and do not harm anyone. Fairness: Being reasonable in my judgement before any action, bars the possibility of over- or underdoing anything. Responsibility: Committing to a course of action irrespective of the cost is key to achieve anything I decided on. This includes being accountable for the actions I have taken. My values, then, could be summed up in the following manner: Take care and be careful. Be honest. Be fair. Be Responsible. Steps for my Ethical Decision-Making Model 1. Am I in a position to do something for someone else or I am in position where I have to ask for something? First, I have to decide if I have to take on an active or passive role, depending on the circumstances. For example, If I know that I am sick and it is not possible for me to take care of any of my responsibilities (cleaning, cooking, job), I let myself and other people know that, until I recover, my health is the one thing that will override everything else. This results in taking a passive role. On the contrary, if I am physically and mentally available, I can assume an active role. In this case honesty, both towards myself and others, is the value taking into account for this step. 2. Am I facing a situation that requires prompt action or is it something that allows for some thought? If I am taking an active role, it is important to know how much time I have to take a decision. It is completely different to face fast, one-time situations where my values are tested, than daily or frequent situations where most of the time my values are just being reinforced. Naturally, care is the value considered in this step. Healthy, routinary activities such as doing exercise or trying to avoid too much sugar in my food are actions in which I try to take care of myself. These don’t require much effort and consideration, given that I have too much time to reflect on slight changes I may apply on them. If I were in a situation where I am realistically able to help a deaf, blind or a person with disabilities when, let us assume, crossing a street, then I would act accordingly with readiness and expedition. This would result in an action where I take care of myself and the person in danger. In both examples, care governs the course of action. 3. What is the impact of the situation? Assessing the possible result for myself and others involved, allows me to prioritize how involved I must be. Scenarios directly connected with me and others, are likely to have more impact than those where me and others are indirectly linked. This also lets me know how thorough I should be in evaluating the consequences. Should I ask the others involved what is their take on the situation and also do some research? Or is the situation simple enough to understand what the consequences are? It is also possible that something in the middle may result, so the consequences for some of those involved, can be assumed, whereas for others close examination may be needed. Overall, it may sound simple, but, while evaluating the possible outcomes, I have to be wary not to flout a law I didn’t know even existed, also that I respect the others willingness to be involved. Trying to push for an action when someone won’t accept the action, even if I see it as positive, may result in harm for them. In this case, again, care plays pivotal role, while fairness is ancillary to the extent, I consider other people’s disposition or consequences. 4. What actions can I take? After deciding if I have to act, how fast and what is the extent of my involvement I need to ponder on possible courses of action. Again, actions can range the whole gamut of routinary, non-urgent and indirectly connected situations that need little perusal, to once-in-a-lifetime, pressing and directly connected that may have long-lasting consequences. I try not to limit myself to just one action. On the contrary, I try to be somewhat flexible, in case I need to change something if I misjudged anything during my assessment. Having at least one option that does not harm anyone, I am able to carry out, I regard as reasonable and that I want to be responsible for my actions, should be the result of this step. Fairness, now, takes the lead in this step, how involved I should be means fairness to me. I wouldn’t consider going the extra-mile in scenarios where I am slightly involved, whereas settings in which I am the main or one of the main decision-makers, call for due diligence. 5. Commit to an action and evaluate After choosing an option. I implement a course of action, open to evaluation and reconsideration. Situations change, so, I have to have the chance to correct a mistake or withdraw from action by the length if I find it more beneficial for everyone than not doing so. This has to do with commitment, I cannot blindly follow certain action just because I decided on them, there has to be some leeway. Responsibility plays a key role here. There is an obligation that binds me to my actions. These cannot be devoid of constant consideration. In case I am being unwillingly unfair or careless by dint of a fault in my previous assessment, adjustments must be made. If the reverse is true, not being diligent enough would result in me not being careful or fair. 6. Reflect on the result Lastly, I think whether I and the others involved are better off with the results, sometimes it does not have to be measurable, but the crux of this step is to know if the action itself was either positive, negative, or neutral, and to what degree. This, on a more personal level, is useful to attune my judgement for future occasions. I can also consider how they made me feel, good actions sometimes leave a bad taste. In the last step honesty, care and fairness mingle together in more of an individual test where most of the time evaluations can be done quickly or start a slow process of thought that may result in other considerations not necessarily tied to my ethical values. My company values The organization I work for is small in terms of personnel, this year it’s four with me. As a result, most of the values are taught by example rather than by reading a statement. With no order of importance, the ones I identify in the company I work for are the following. Commitment: Irrespective of the size of the company, project or task we do, everyone involved has to keep working until we have a concise result. This applies to both small task and projects that take months and, for some, even years. Good work ethic: It may sound like an all-encompassing value in that in involves productivity, professionalism, initiative, or focus, to mention some. Nonetheless, everyone exudes such characteristics, not always in the form computer-heavy work, it also includes dedication and effort put to activities such as reunions, events, webinars, calls, letters or even introductions. Openness: Despite the fact that not all of the activities concern us all, everyone is always kept in the loop about what is happening. Also, there is room for as much flexibility as needed for any of us, be it arriving late, working from home or positive feedback when errors are made. Ambition: Wanting to impact in more ways than currently available in the long-term is something that has always driven the growth of the company ever since it started. For a nonprofit organization, this means creating or being responsible for projects that can have more beneficial impact for more companies. I think this applies as an ethical value because, the lack of it would result in conformism, which in the long run is not considered beneficial. Congruence between me and my organization First, I notice that both me and the organization I work for understand the importance of being candid. This makes everyone to be on the same page and eases further considerations when taking an ethical action. Also, it enables communication, which is important for any decisions, apart from ethical ones. Despite my intention not to write values with order of importance, I think honesty sets a solid foundation in many respects. Secondly, commitment is another value, I think, is shared. Taking responsibility for one’s actions as well as striving to get things done makes the difference between an intentional, well-thought action and just things that one does. In other words, it lets actions speak for us. I deem this value essential in a mature person as well as in a mature organization. In addition, I match care with ambition to a certain extent. While my company constantly pursues new ways to have a better impact on its stakeholders, I cannot say that I am in a constant exercise of directed at myself and others. Which is understandable, companies do not have leisure time nor need a respite. Yet, when I do engage in activities with consequences to others, I do try new ways to be better at them. Fairness is where I find the first a slight lack of congruence, for me fairness exercised with my own judgement, consequently with my own biases or ingrained thought habits, for my company, what defines a fair action is as simple as doing your best in what you do, to the best of your abilities. No consultation or emails should have less quality if you deem the potential or personality of someone less worth your time. Yet, to its employees the company is fair in treatment. All in all, regarding ethical values, I think me, and my company share key ones that have a good impact on both. It creates a virtuous circle where I feel satisfied working and acting according comfortably with my judgement, and, at the same time knowing that it fits the company’s core ethical principles. In the long run, that sort of mutual feedback results in increasing my potential not only as an employee but also as a human and in the company achieving its goals while adding more. I conclude that, while hard and soft skills are important to successfully develop your career in your field, understanding your own values and those of the company you work with or want to work with is important to understand the role and impact you have as a professional in the society, no matter what your job is.