SWiM Starting with Me

Governing by Anger

2009-03-24T13:54:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, President Obama indicated he would not support a bill forcing AIG executives to pay a special tax on their bonuses that was being spirited through Congress. His reason was that he did not want to govern by anger. Senators and representatives, having been embarassed by AIG's actions, were trying to "right the wrong" by doing an end run around ethics. Regardless of where you come down on whether AIG execs should have accepted bonuses, the legislature's attempt to take them back is an abuse of power and authority.

I hope that President Obama's stance will send a strong message for discussing the ethics of decision making in government.

Can the Stimulus Package Stimulate Our Ethics?

2009-03-13T20:26:00.007-05:00

The biggest challenge facing President Obama and the Congress is not engaging the clutch that will put our economy into gear, but rather engaging the heart and spirit of Americans in putting the stimulus package to work.

Already we are hearing of behind-the-scenes maneuvering by individuals, companies and local governments to put themselves in position to take advantage of the various incentives to advance their own needs. Homeowners who are current with their mortgages are complaining that those who aren't are getting help. A local county has already figured out how to use stimulus money to pay itself back for something it did two years ago. Corporations are scrambling to reinvent themselves to grab up as many stimulus dollars as they can.

The drive to fulfill self-interests will surely outweigh the intentions of creating something for the greater good, unless we begin asking questions; and that is the stuff of ethics.

Does it serve the common good for me to apply for mortgage relief when I really don't need it?
Does it serve the common good for us to simply refill county coffers rather than create new opportunities for employment?
Does it serve the common good to jump from provision of one set of products and services to another just because there is money there?

I know I'm not smart enough to ask all the questions that need to be asked. And I know the questions I have asked are much more complicated than I have presented. But I am smart enough to know that unless we ask the questions and discuss the answers publicly, we will likely miss the very opportunities President Obama and the Congress are trying to create.

On Loyalty to Your Employer

2009-03-12T09:03:00.001-05:00

We expect a lot from our employers. Fair wages, good benefits, opportunity for growth and development, and a satisfying work environment to name a few. Bur what is our obligation to our employer? What does employee loyalty look like? Caring about the product or service and not just the job. Sticking with the employer even in hard times. Resisting the temptation to job-hop for a few cents more per hour. Acting as an ambassador for the company’s line. Respecting the supervisors and co-workers. Treating the place as we would our own homes. Being good stewards of company property and equipment. Repeat this: Starting with me, loyalty in the workplace will work both ways. I will be supportive of my employer and my fellow employees. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Supporting the “Sin Industries”

2009-03-06T10:34:00.001-06:00

There’s a lot of debate in the investment community about supporting so-called “sin industries” – drugs, pornography, prostitution, gambling, etc. That debate is being played out on a large scale in corporations, funds and the stock market, but what about us? Do we support those industries either knowingly or unintentionally? Are we aware of what companies are represented in our mutual funds? Do we know if any of our retirment investements are supporting companies that promote gambling? Do we use products from companies tied to child labor? Do we purchase tickets from entertainment companies that produce pornography? Benign neglect and innocent ignorance are not ethical choices for us. Repeat this: Starting with me, investing will be more than a financial activity; it will reflect solid ethics and family values. I will start asking more questions. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Your Personal “Brand Promise”

2009-02-28T11:06:00.001-06:00

In marketing terms, “brand promise” refers to the consistency of quality and experience a customer can expect. A company with a strong brand promise has a clear, definable character in the mind of the customer. What is your personal brand promise? One of the most often used self-descriptors I hear is, “person of integrity.” Integrity and integral come from the same root, which means entire and whole. Does your brand promise extend throughout all your dealings? Do people know what you value by how you act? Is your character consistent? Is their experience with you positive and satisfying? Repeat this: Starting with me, people will be able to depend on my actions being consistent with my beliefs – my personal brand promise. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Living Your Values in the Workplace

2009-02-20T14:20:00.001-06:00

Minnesota has been at the center of a number of thorny issues around living our values in the workplace. Cab drivers refusing to carry people who carry alcohol. A grocery checkout refusing to touch meat packaging, and others. While this is a complicated issue, let me suggest a starting place for you and your values. First, choose a job which by its nature is consistent with your values. Second, within that job try to make reasonable accomodations with your employer for your personal beliefs. Third, be willing to pay a price for those accomodations (Such as working every Saturday while others work your Sundays). Finally, respect others, allowing them to act according to their beliefs. Repeat this: Starting with me, the workplace will be more than a job. It will be a part of who I am and what I believe. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Abuse of Employee Hours

2009-02-16T15:41:00.002-06:00

There are legitimate, mission-critical reasons for employing part-timers, seasonal employees, etc., but there are many companies who hire and schedule with the express purpose of avoiding paying full-time wages, benefits, raises, bonuses, and so on. It’s easy to see that such practices cheat the employees. But companies that do it are also cheating the consumer because they are using less skilled, experienced and committed employees. They are cheating themselves because they are sacrificing quality, stability, and morale for short term savings. And it cheats the rest of us by flooding the economy with goods and services at unrealistic, untenable prices. Are you one of those companies? Repeat this: Starting with me, I will treat employees as the most important resource my company and industry have for building a future. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Treating Vendors Fairly

2009-02-07T17:25:00.001-06:00

Net 30. Everyone has seen those words on an invoice. And we all know what it means. Credit has been extended for up to 30 days to allow us to arrange to pay the bill. All too often, the practice among businesses is to stretch out the terms. Many companies purposely extend to 60, 90 and even longer. They are, in effect, using their vendors to finance their own operations. In most cases it forces the vendors to dip into expensive lines of credit to pay for the labor or materials they used to supply the product. This is patently unfair – to everyone. It forces prices up for all of us. It reduces profits and therefore cheats employees out of raises and bonuses. Repeat this: Starting with me, vendor relations will be honest and respectful. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Paying Taxes

2009-02-03T07:09:00.002-06:00

"Pay me with cash and I’ll give you a special deal." "If you schedule a lunch meeting during your vacation, you can charge the whole trip off as a business expense." "Why don’t we just consider your use of the company truck as a little spiff – just between you and me." The common theme with all of these familiar practices is avoidance of taxes. That’s flat out stealing. As well as cheating your fellow citizens. And it’s illegal. I believe in good tax planning, but come on, pay what you owe and carry your share of the public burden. Repeat this: Starting with me, the privilege of living in a country with all its benefits will be something worth paying for.

On Doubling the Benefit

2009-01-28T13:15:00.001-06:00

It was a regular theme at our house: “If you’re going upstairs, take a pile of laundry with you.” My folks always taught us to try to get a double benefit from anything we did. Do you take full advantage of your activity at work? An efficient food server drops off the check at one table on his way back from pouring coffee at another. A productive salesperson works on her database while on hold. Voice mail, e-mail and messaging makes it possible to check on communication while in the taxi on the way to a meeting. Repeat this: Starting with me, good stewardship of time will double my worth for myself, my employer, my customers and my family. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Making What You’re Worth

2009-01-05T12:16:00.003-06:00

How much should I be making? Good question, as long as it’s asked along with several others. What are others in similar jobs making? Can this company compete at that level? What do I need to support myself? Am I living beyond my means? Am I in the right job or field considering what I’d like to be making? Have I figured what my benefits are worth in dollars? Can I put a value on the work environment compared to other companies? Do I have educational or experiential opportunities here that may be worth my accepting a lower salary? Repeat this: Starting with me, salary and benefits will be viewed from a broad perspective, meeting both my short and long term needs and those of my employer. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com/.

On Doing Whatever it Takes

2008-12-29T18:36:00.002-06:00

I polled a number of my clients and associates recently asking them, "What’s the most common ethical dilemma in your industry?" It boiled down to this: "Do whatever it takes to get the job."In some industries it was misrepresenting capabilities. In some it was promising one level of product or service and then switching to a lesser quality or quantity. In some it was low-balling bids and then charging extra for contract details. Many rationalize, “That’s just how you have to play the game.” If that’s true, then you are contributing to unethical (and maybe illegal) practices. Repeat this: Starting with me, quality, honesty and a fair price will be the standard for getting and keeping work. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Saying No to Your Own Ambitions

2008-12-21T12:59:00.002-06:00

The national conference is in less than a week. There is no way you can get the booth built, write the sales scripts, and prepare the session you’ve agreed to give. You have three customer call backs to do today and a demo that will take up most of tomorrow. Why did you ever agree to do the conference? Now you see nothing but stressful, sleepless nights ahead of you. Just say, “No.” There is a difference between setting stretch goals for yourself and being unrealistic. The former is a challenge. The latter is a lie. Not only does it set you up for failure but it misleads and disappoints the people who depend on you. Repeat this: Starting with me, honest and realistic self-assessment will determine schedules and obligations. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Saying No to Your Loved Ones

2008-12-08T13:04:00.002-06:00

The subject of far too many TV shows and movies is the dad (usually) who disappoints his child by promising to be there and then letting work get in the way. If this happens to you more than a few times a year, you have a balance problem. But short of that, there are times when you have to just say, “No” to your loved ones. Here’s how to do it with a minimum of damage. First anticipate, and don’t promise if you’re not sure you can deliver. Second, as early as possible, communicate directly with your loved one. Be honest and direct. Reaffirm your love. Third, after the missed event, inquire about it with genuine interest. Repeat this: Starting with me, family relationships will always be valued more highly than work. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Saying No to Coworkers

2008-12-03T15:48:00.002-06:00

“You wouldn’t mind covering for me on Tuesday, would you, buddy? I’ve got tickets to the big game and I’m due some sick time, anyway.” What do you do when faced with this dilemma? Assuming you would mind or that you’ve got too much of your own work to do to cover for your “buddy,” what do you do? Just say, “No.” Here’s how. “You know, I have just got too much scheduled for me to consider covering for you. I’m sorry I can’t help you out and I have to say, ‘No.’” Worried that you might ruin a friendship? Don’t be. A true friend doesn’t put you in the position of jeopardizing your own job for him. Repeat this: Starting with me, our work place will be one of integrity and personal responsibility. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Saying No to The Boss

2008-11-28T15:26:00.003-06:00

The secretary couldn’t take on even one more project. And his immediate supervisor still hasn’t dropped off the month-end correspondence. And yet he knows that two other department heads need some typing done before Monday, too. How is he going to get it all done? You know the end of this story. The secretary will cut corners, work all weekend, grow resentful, and eventually leave the job. Learn to Just say, “No” to the boss. Make a realistic assessment of what you can handle, and then respectfully ask which of the excess projects would the boss like you to push off to next week. The boss will appreciate your professionalism and you’ll save your job. Repeat this: Starting with me, work estimates will be handled with integrity and honesty. For more tips and information, visit http://www.swimstartingwithme.com/.

On Saying No to Sales People

2008-11-18T10:37:00.004-06:00

He looks once more at the telephone slip on his desk. The woman has called him three times since he met with her about her company’s product. He dreads telling her he’s not really interested. He pushes the slip aside, once again.

This scene repeats 1000s of times every day. Salespeople waste hours calling back prospects who are afraid to say, “No.” And those prospects endure a constant, nagging sense that they are doing wrong.

Just say, “No.” Save yourself stress and the salesperson time by being truthful about your intentions. Build relationships on integrity, not fear. Repeat this: Starting with me, salespeople will be treated with the same respect I expect from them. For more information go to http://www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Being a Hypocrite

2008-09-03T14:15:00.005-05:00

Watching the small fringe group calling themselves anarchists trying to disrupt the RNC in St. Paul brought to mind how easy it is to be hypocritical. The dictionary definition of anarchism is "a belief in the abolition of all government and the organization of society on a voluntary, cooperative basis." (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 10th Edition) Our society is built on freedoms that include the right to hold beliefs contrary to the status quo and to speak them out. The message of the anarchist activity in St. Paul is a direct contradiction to what they say they believe.

The message is that people are NOT free to speak and act as they believe, otherwise, why try to keep the delegates from reaching the convention?

The message is that organization of society is NOT voluntary or cooperative, otherwise, why try to keep people from what they believe is right?

The message is that some form of government IS needed to protect private citizens from terroristic acts of violence that the anarchists clearly perpetrated.

But this ought to be a lesson to all of us to look carefully at how our behavior aligns or doesn't align with our beliefs.The very essence of ethics is to articulate a clear value system and act in accordance with it.

Repeat this: Starting with me, I will examine my intended behaviors BEFORE acting to see that they are not hypocritical.

On Interrelational Ethics

2008-08-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here’s a thorny ethical dilemma: Legalism vs. Grace. Law and order demand that we hold people accountable for their actions. Mercy and forgiveness suggest that we give people a break. Are the two incompatible? Ignoring wrongdoing is a slippery slope, but punishment is not necessarily “justice.”

Consider this: ethics suggests an ongoing, open dialogue about the competing values we see among individuals and societies. To coin a phrase, we need to be about “interrelational ethics.”

Repeat this: Starting with me, morals will be tested in relationship with others. I will be open to the give and take of dialogue.

On Striving for Win-Win

2008-08-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

Stephen Covey, in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, names this habit: “Win-Win or No Deal.” His point is that a mutually beneficial outcome is always possible if we are willing to work for it. While his book is not about ethics, per se, this is a highly moral stand. It assumes that the needs of the other person are as valuable as our own. Covey states that people who are highly effective insist on meeting others’ needs as well as their own. If we were all to take this stand, the whole issue of ethics in the marketplace would take on an entirely different tone.

Repeat this: Starting with me, win-win will be the standard for behavior. I will work hard for that outcome.

On Valuing Contentment

2008-08-12T14:08:00.000-05:00

Is enough ever enough? Do we even know what the word “contentment” means today? The people I have most admired in my life were those who knew how to be content in all circumstances. They exhibit a peace, a calmness that I want to achieve. Oh, don’t misunderstand. They aren’t lazy. They still have goals and ambitions and passion. But they are not driven by those. They are fed by something inside, something more important than achievement. They have found contentment. They have moved from making needs-based decisions to making values-based decisions.

Repeat this: Starting with me, contentment will be a worthwhile goal. I will be driven by intrinsic values, rather than externals.

On Being an Environment Steward

2008-08-06T20:54:00.001-05:00

“Paper or plastic?” That question opened great debates in the last decade on our personal responsibility for the environment. Technology has since changed the equation, but we are still faced daily with decisions that affect the stewardship of the resources we have. What can the rallying cry be today? How can we raise awareness of the environmental issues involved in our everyday decisions? What will gas prices have to be before Americans begin to seriously conserve fuel? What species will disappear before we take responsibility for our planet?

Repeat this: Starting with me, stewardship starts with me. I will not wait any longer to make a difference.

On Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

2008-08-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

Is there really such a thing as a superstar? A sports team doesn’t win based on one player. A business doesn’t excel based on one person’s service. A family doesn’t thrive based on one member’s efforts. The truth is, credit is due to the group. In our individualistic society, we want to name heroes. But in actuality, unless we are working together, we will all fall.

Repeat this: Starting with me, credit for success will be given where it is due. I will neither hog the limelight, nor create individual heroes.

On Seeing the Big Picture (Long Term vs. Short Term)

2008-07-29T17:13:00.000-05:00

It’s a constant struggle. Doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO of a large corporation, or if you’re a person with a few bucks in a mutual fund. Which takes precedent, the long term or the short? If you only manage for short term profit, you will destroy the sustainability of your investment. If you ignore the short term you may not be around long enough to enjoy the eventual outcome. There is no simple answer. In fact, the natural tension between the long and short term expose the values which determine our ethics.

Repeat this: Starting with me, big picture questions will be a platform for examining values and improving ethics.

On Speaking Positively

2008-07-23T18:44:00.001-05:00

Come on, I know you heard it from your parents or teachers: “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.” That’s good advice with immense implications for ethical behavior. Speaking positively creates an atmosphere of hope, of safety, and of trust. These are all vital to being able to openly explore moral issues and our resulting behaviors. Where negative attitudes are the norm, people expect everything to be wrong. Negative talk seems constantly judgmental. Is that you? Is that your workplace? Stop it.

Repeat this: Starting with me, there will be a positive outlook around here. I will speak the good word.