Transcript Ethics in the Workplace by Dan Gibson

Dan M. Gibson
Executive Director, MASI
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All you have is your good name.
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All you have is your good name.
People love to file lawsuits.
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All you have is your good name.
People love to file lawsuits.
Good intentions aren’t enough.
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All you have is your good name.
People love to file lawsuits.
Good intentions aren’t enough.
Professional people finish first – usually.
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All you have is your good name.
People love to file lawsuits.
Good intentions aren’t enough.
Professional people finish first – usually.
You want to do the right thing – hopefully!
So what are we going to
talk about?
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Ethics Defined.
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Ethics Defined.
Being Ethical to Others.
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Ethics Defined.
Being Ethical to Others.
Being Ethical to Yourself.
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Ethics Defined.
Being Ethical to Others.
Being Ethical to Yourself.
Amateur vs. Professional.
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Ethics Defined.
Being Ethical to Others.
Being Ethical to Yourself.
Amateur vs. Professional.
Best Business Practices.
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Ethics Defined.
Being Ethical to Others.
Being Ethical to Yourself.
Amateur vs. Professional.
Best Business Practices.
Questions and Answers.
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Various definitions exist for “Ethics” – most
involving the moral decisions we all make, and
how they affect the world around us.
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Various definitions exist for “Ethics” – most
involving the moral decisions we all make, and
how they affect the world around us.
Ethics can be relative to the person, depending on
a person’s “moral compass”.
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Various definitions exist for “Ethics” – most
involving the moral decisions we all make, and
how they affect the world around us.
Ethics can be relative to the person, depending on
a person’s “moral compass”.
What are your ethics?
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Various definitions exist for “Ethics” – most
involving the moral decisions we all make, and
how they affect the world around us.
Ethics can be relative to the person, depending on
a person’s “moral compass”.
What are your ethics?
The most simple definition is this: knowing the
difference between right and wrong and choosing
to do what is right.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
 Our Associates.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
 Our Associates. Even Our Competitors.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
 Our Associates. Even Our Competitors.
 Our Companies.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
 Our Associates. Even Our Competitors.
 Our Companies.
 Our Profession.
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We have a duty to treat others as we
ourselves would want to be treated…
this includes…
 Our Clients.
 Our Associates. Even Our Competitors.
 Our Companies.
 Our Profession.
 The Rules of Our Trade and Laws of
our Land.
This above all; to thine own self be true,
and it must follow, as the night the day,
thou canst not then be false to any
man. William Shakespeare
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A person who engages in an art, science, study, or
athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a
profession.
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A person who engages in an art, science, study, or
athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a
profession.
An amateur is an individual who is new to, or not
yet skilled in, a particular skill or sport.
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A person who engages in an art, science, study, or
athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a
profession.
An amateur is an individual who is new to, or not
yet skilled in, a particular skill or sport.
A person with no experience whatsoever in an
activity or situation.
Various Sources, Definitions…
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A person formally certified by a professional body
or belonging to a specific profession by virtue of
having completed a required course.
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A person formally certified by a professional body
or belonging to a specific profession by virtue of
having completed a required course.
A person typically regulated by statute, with the
responsibilities of enforcement delegated to
respective professional bodies.
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A person formally certified by a professional body
or belonging to a specific profession by virtue of
having completed a required course.
A person typically regulated by statute, with the
responsibilities of enforcement delegated to
respective professional bodies.
The main criteria for professional include the
following: Expert and specialized knowledge in
field which one is practicing
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A person formally certified by a professional body
or belonging to a specific profession by virtue of
having completed a required course.
A person typically regulated by statute, with the
responsibilities of enforcement delegated to
respective professional bodies.
The main criteria for professional include the
following: Expert and specialized knowledge in
field which one is practicing
Adjective… of, engaged in, or worthy of the high
standards of a profession
Various Sources, Definitions…
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Stay current on the laws and regulations that
govern your profession.
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Stay current on the laws and regulations that
govern your profession.
Continually seek education and ways to improve
yourself.
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Stay current on the laws and regulations that
govern your profession.
Continually seek education and ways to improve
yourself.
Stay informed of the changing industry around
you.
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Stay current on the laws and regulations that
govern your profession.
Continually seek education and ways to improve
yourself.
Stay informed of the changing industry around
you.
Document, Document, Document – “in writing”
should not be an antiquated phrase!
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Stay current on the laws and regulations that
govern your profession.
Continually seek education and ways to improve
yourself.
Stay informed of the changing industry around
you.
Document, Document, Document – “in writing”
should not be an antiquated phrase!
Use “tools of the trade”… client discovery forms,
conversation diaries, communication and
correspondence logs, etc.
Never assume that your
client would never sue
you!
Always remember your
word is your bond… and it
is all you really have!
A written document lasts
forever.
Never be afraid to say
“I don’t know”
Never be afraid to say
“No”
Watch out for conflicts of
interest.
A conflict between the private
interests and the official
responsibilities of a person
in a position of trust.
If it feels wrong,
It probably is.
“Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind. This is the first
and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: Love your
neighbor as yourself.”
Matt 22: 37-39
Dan M. Gibson
Executive Director, MASI