G
Guest
I attended an ethics seminar last night at the local engineering college entitled, "Creating and Sustaning a Culture of Ethics and Integrity" presented by a defense contractor. My curiosity was naturally piqued when I saw such a presentation offered - especially at the engineering college. The seminar turned out to be 1/3 recruiting, 1/3 rah-rah about the company, 1/6 list of things not to do in the work environment and 1/6 ethics.
Based on the forementioned description, it might not sound like I got much out of the seminar, but I actually did.
The biggest take home message was that in the same manner that we approach safety in the workplace and jobsite, we should apply the same level of import and diligence on ethics. Many of us, as it turns out, are situationally ethical. That essentially means that when confronted with a set of circumstances, that our course of action could be altered based on the situation. That is not to say that we make bad choices/decisions or even that we are bad people, but that our choices will not be consistent regardless of how the situation is presented. Sometimes it is easy to become complacent about decision-making in our job if we are not periodically challenged about about our approach to a broad scope of issues whether they be personal, professional business, etc.
So, what did I learn? I really didn't learn anything. Most of the discussion points were intuitive and already known by me. However, I was confronted with questions in my own approach to how I handle things in my workplace personally, professionally, and otherwise and how those situation may alter my approach. The thing I can appreciate about the seminar is that it is a chance to engage a subject that is 'hands-off' to many and to challenge my 'ethical' viewpoints.
I thought I would share my experience at this seminar with everyone because I know it is something that many of us dread and try to avoid rather than engaging the issue. Granted, it is a tad more difficult to engage this issue in your workplace than at a college campus, but I would say a seminar of this sort is probably well worth the attendance.
:reading:
JR
Based on the forementioned description, it might not sound like I got much out of the seminar, but I actually did.
The biggest take home message was that in the same manner that we approach safety in the workplace and jobsite, we should apply the same level of import and diligence on ethics. Many of us, as it turns out, are situationally ethical. That essentially means that when confronted with a set of circumstances, that our course of action could be altered based on the situation. That is not to say that we make bad choices/decisions or even that we are bad people, but that our choices will not be consistent regardless of how the situation is presented. Sometimes it is easy to become complacent about decision-making in our job if we are not periodically challenged about about our approach to a broad scope of issues whether they be personal, professional business, etc.
So, what did I learn? I really didn't learn anything. Most of the discussion points were intuitive and already known by me. However, I was confronted with questions in my own approach to how I handle things in my workplace personally, professionally, and otherwise and how those situation may alter my approach. The thing I can appreciate about the seminar is that it is a chance to engage a subject that is 'hands-off' to many and to challenge my 'ethical' viewpoints.
I thought I would share my experience at this seminar with everyone because I know it is something that many of us dread and try to avoid rather than engaging the issue. Granted, it is a tad more difficult to engage this issue in your workplace than at a college campus, but I would say a seminar of this sort is probably well worth the attendance.
:reading:
JR
