On Living Your Values in the Workplace

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 Doubling the Benefit

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

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 Stealing - Stealing Ideas is Stealing

Stealing intellectual property – other people’s ideas or creations – is a hot topic right now. People are more aware of stealing artists’ songs, for example. But what about right in your workplace? Taking credit for other people’s work is stealing, too. If you’re a boss, it is not only highly unethical, it’s the very opposite of what you should be trying to promote. Taking credit for other people’s work can take other forms too, like letting a customer think you were the force behind a project when it was a group effort. Stop the stealing.

Repeat this: Starting with me, stealing is stealing. I will not inflate my own importance at others’ expense.

On Stealing – Stealing Work Hours is Stealing

Okay, let’s just say this. Coming late, leaving early, extending breaks and surfing the net (March Madness, anyone?) on company time is stealing. Plain and simple. Oh, sure, there’s comp time, but the rest of it is just wrong. And while we’re at it, what about being habitually late for meetings? In that case we are stealing multiple people’s time. Here’s the deal. We can’t complain about corporate greed, crooked politicians, and identity theft if we are also guilty of stealing. Let’s clean it up.

Repeat this: Starting with me, stealing is stealing. I will take personal responsibility for my use of time.

On Confronting Bullying

There has been a lot (though not enough) of press lately about bullying in schools. But what about bullying in the workplace? Oh, it’s often more subtle there, but it is happening nonetheless. The newcomer, the nerd, and the prude are often singled out and made fun of. If you are not on the receiving end, it may seem harmless or funny or even deserved. But the person being bullied doesn’t think so. It creates a workplace filled with fear, hate, and division. It crushes creativity. And by the way, it’s illegal.

Repeat this: Starting with me, bullying in any form will not be tolerated. I will stand up for the victims.

On Decreasing Health Costs

The fastest rising costs in our economy today are in health care. Politicians, business owners, taxpayers and health care providers are all debating about who should bear those costs. But here’s something you can take to the bank. Studies show that most of the money spent on health care goes to correcting poor lifestyle choices. You and I can make a huge difference in not only our own health care costs, but in those of our company and even of our nation.

Repeat this: Starting with me, health care will be a personal responsibility. I will eat right, exercise, and stop doing things that are harmful to my health.

On Decreasing Turnover

Do you work someplace with high employee turnover? Do you get tired of seeing an endless stream of trainees who don’t seem to care as much about the job as you do? Do you wish you could do something about it? Well, maybe you can. You may not have the authority to increase wages or grant different schedules, but one of the biggest factors in employee turnover is a lack of a sense of belonging, or of importance. You can do something about that.

Repeat this: Starting with me, new employees will see someone in the workplace who cares about them and what they bring to the team.

On Gossip

OSHA never talks about one of the big dangers in the workplace; and that’s gossip. Gossip eats away at morale, trust, and enjoyment at work. Oh, I know you would never gossip. As a matter of fact, you’ve probably complained about people that do. But what do you do about gossip? Gossip will only stop when there is no one to listen to it. What if every time someone began talking about someone else you were to say, "Sorry, I feel uncomfortable talking about her when she’s not here," and then skillfully changed the subject?

Repeat this: Starting with me, gossip will no longer have a listening ear.

On Wasting Resources

Waste. Definitely not a welcome word in most businesses. Most of us are very careful to reduce waste and to avoid wasting time, energy, and other resources. But how many of us are aware of wasting our influence? As we are successful in our jobs, it gives us influence among our fellow employees, customers, etc. How are you using your influence? Purely for your own gain? Or are you using the favor you’ve found with others to make a difference?

Repeat this: Starting with me, good favor will be seen as a valuable resource. I will use whatever influence I have to make a difference in my workplace, my neighborhood, and my community.

For more tips and information, visit http://www.startingwithme.us/.

On Corporate Giving

Corporate giving is not just for big companies. Employees and small business owners can give – and receive a great deal in return. Why give? It adds a deeper sense of meaning to your life. It improves your morale. And it builds a sense of camaraderie and caring with and for others. How should you give? It can be in the form of one-time gifts, or ongoing support. Through writing a check, or volunteering time or your talents, services or products. Companies can benefit greatly by helping their employees give. Don’t wait around for someone to ask you. Repeat this: Starting with me, giving will become the norm, not the exception. I will start today, no matter how small. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Rules

Rules. We all have to live by them. But how many of us take responsibility for enforcing the good ones and changing the ineffective ones? Most of us would rather complain. Here’s four words for you. It’s all about purpose. Think carefully about the reason a rule is in place. Then ask if it accomplishes the purpose. If it does, obey it and encourage others to do the same. If it doesn’t, go to someone with authority for the rule, and ask them to talk it over with you. Respectfully suggest a change that would make it more effective. Repeat this: Starting with me, rules will be seen as helpful, not harmful. I will obey all the rules while trying to improve the ineffective ones. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Taking Responsibility

If there’s one thing we are learning from the corporate debacles of late, it’s that no one likes a whiner. When you make a mistake, stand up and take responsibility. Ethically and morally, taking responsibility is the high ground. It moves you quickly past the negative consequences of the public spotlight. It will very likely be cheaper in the long run. It models the kind of behavior you expect from your coworkers and bosses. And it eliminates shame and blame from your corporate culture. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s how quickly and thoroughly you take responsibility that defines your character. Repeat this: Starting with me, responsibility will not be something to be ducked. I will let take responsibility for my own actions. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Wasting Resources

Waste. Definitely not a welcome word in most businesses. Most of us are very careful to reduce waste; to avoid wasting time, energy, and other resources. But how many of us are aware of wasting our influence? As we are successful in our jobs, it gives us influence among our fellow employees, customers, etc. How are you using your influence? Purely for your own gain? Or are you using the favor you’ve found with others to make a difference? Repeat this: Starting with me, good favor will be seen as a valuable resource. I will use whatever influence I have to make a difference in my workplace, my neighborhood, and community. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

On Being Two Faced

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “two-faced?” Most of us would not like to be labeled with it. But many of us are more two-faced than we’d like to admit. We act differently at work than we do at home. We say and do things with our friends we would never do with our parents or kids. We behave in private in a way we’d never think of doing in public. We weren’t meant to live that way. It creates a kind of moral dichotomy that can only result in a feeling of dis-ease. Take a stand. Decide what you really believe and then live that way. Repeat this: Starting with me, two-faced will only describe a kind of tape. I will live my values in every part of my life. For more tips and information, visit www.swimstartingwithme.com.

The iPhone Caper - Breaking and Entering

Since the day the iPhone was introduced, hackers from around the world set themselves to the task of breaking its security. A 17-year old technology student figured our how to "unlock" the phone so it could be used on networks other than that of Apple's partner, ATT. While this is the most recent high profile case, it is only one of thousands of instances of hackers breaking into technology's secrets.

Tell me how this is different from a common thief breaking into your house.

Some of my hi-tech friends defend the practice of "informational hacks" - those meant to expose the weaknesses of a system without actually stealing data or wreaking havoc on the owners and users. They extol the ideal of open architecture and universal access. I suggest that is a self-deception, at best. If someone is so all-fired hot on developing a technology on open architecture, then by all means, have at it. Get out there and develop a technology, find a way to fund its development, marketing and support functions and make yourself a hero.

But to sit back and steal the secrets of a technology is the equivalent of saying, "Well, if I don't take it, someone else will." That doesn't make it right. Breaking and entering is still wrong, even if there is no law that specifically addresses it.

The fact that most of the articles I've read on the "iPhone Caper" treats the 17-year old hero and the hundreds of other hackers as regular Robin Hoods. As if stealing something off the back of someone else has become more noble than building one's own product.

On a related, but non-ethics note, what are the implications of moving toward a society that glorifies stealing or copying others' technology rather than building its own? Does that not sound at all familiar to anyone? Did we learn no lessons from post-WWII Japan?

CEO Pay - Ethics and Practicality

The ethics of CEO Compensation has hit the news again, this time in discussion of Doug Steenland, the man who pulled Northwest Airlines out of bankruptcy. The board rewarded Steenland with $26 million in stock awards (and another $10+ million to each of four other top executives).

There is no doubt that Steenland et al performed a great feat. One could make a good argument that it was well worth the approximately $75 million they were paid. But this whole affair poses both an ethical and a practical issue.

Ethically, is it right to reward top management for bargaining away employees' salary and benefits? Is it right to award the first fruits of what was clearly a team effort to just part of the team?

Practically, what are they thinking? NWA comes out of bankruptcy and immediately ignites a controversy with the very people who they will depend on to keep them out of bankruptcy. I don't know what Steenland and company's regular salary is, but I'll bet it's enough to contribute nicely to their retirement funds.

The board made a mistake in offering the bonuses. Steenland and his cohorts made a mistake in accepting them.

It's a matter of ethics. It's a matter of practicality.