By J. Mason
Online Career Tips Editor
This content was previously run on Jessica’s profile in LinkedIn Pulse.
We’re all expected to abide by a certain role of ethics and conduct while at work. Some companies are more lax in their policies in regards to what jokes may be offensive, while other places may be strict in their expectations for language, dress, and values in the workplace. We too often chalk our coworkers interpretations of ethics and integrity to a personality conflict, or differentiating backgrounds, but that’s too simplistic an excuse given the volume of time spent with those people. It is extremely important to not only understand your company expectations for behavior, but you need to subscribe to your own code of ethics/values first.
How high can your moral ceiling flex?
If you’re constantly pushing beyond your set expectations for yourself and others, then it may be that you are looking to please others. While there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with being a people pleaser, you will soon learn how quickly it can bite you in the butt. Think about it this way, some may view this flexible nature as a pushover. Someone willing to overlook their own needs in order to appease others around them, regardless of the consequences. Whether you see it or not, you’re flexing that moral ceiling. Every time you question your actions, words, or behavior that’s a slight puncture to your integrity.
Instead of constantly judging your actions, you need to look at holding that other person accountable. How many other people have they approached on the same topic, account, issue, and how many of those people turned them down before you? There’s no need to play detective here, it’s all in their approach. In the past I have had coworkers approach me in the bent down, whisper in your ear, “hey there, best buddy!” faux-love type of way. They gain your confidence and make it seem as if you are the first person they thought of, or maybe Sally didn’t agree with their plan and they need someone to back them. When this scenario happens, do you really feel like helping? Let’s hope some red flags are going up. Also, another thing to look out for is when they circumvent your boss, you, or a fellow colleague for a fixed process or project. We assign people to specific areas for a reason. Sometimes it’s based around existing credentials, and other times it could be a promotion. In this situation there are a few reasons why they’re blatantly ignoring the chain of command. Either a) they don’t like dealing with that person b) they think they can do a better job c) there’s an ulterior motive that they have not yet revealed.
We have all been there with a and b, but there are professional ways of handling that type of situation. Take it up with the person via email, a more passive aggressive form, or lobby to assist them with that role and eventually push for more responsibility. If they really are better equipped for the position then things will fall into place naturally.
How transparent are you?
One of the most defining characteristics of integrity is honesty. Modifying the truth is still dishonest. Don’t feel bad though, we have all done it at one point or another. The goal here is to be as authentic and honest as you can be, and within the limits of your current position. Lying to gain a more favorable position is wrong whichever way you look at it. And like I mentioned before, someone is getting played in the process. While you can’t always help everyone out, you also shouldn’t be selective in whoever you believe needs the leg up.
How “real” are your work relationships?
Social hopping at work is nearly as bad as job hopping. If you move from one group to the next on account of being unable to agree on things, or because things didn’t go your way then that is an issue. Unless you worked for the most oppressive company on earth there is bound to be a like-minded group of individuals that you can tie yourself to. They don’t need to necessarily be in your department, but there should be respect and mutual company drive. Don’t create a relationship with someone just because they always get the best assignments. Thing is, one day that flow of great activity may cease and then where will that leave them? Your intentions for work relationships should be just as ethical as any other activity in the office. It goes back to transparency and authenticity. Creating those lasting connections in a digital age have much more value than a month long work relationship with the department suck-up.
Do you follow your gut?
Now we have come full circle. Early on in your career it is really about figuring out who you are in the workplace. Are you cunning, driven, passive, overly helpful, or authoritative? Believe it or not you know by your second job whether you’re willing to throw someone under the bus to save your skin, or to get ahead. Once you’re comfortable with the person that you are it is up to you whether you adhere to it, or push aside your integrity for a passing favor. You need to ask yourself, do I have integrity? That word should carry some weight with you. It needs to be defined by you, the actions you take, and the place(s) you want to be. We all have that boundary we don’t want to be pushed to, but may be willing if the right opportunity comes along.
Define integrity at work for yourself and carry it around as your motto. What is your definition of integrity?
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