Making ethical decisions can be an overwhelming process. But by taking action, you can make things easier. Being ethical is something everyone agrees is important. But when it comes to making decisions, many people feel overwhelmed. I wanted to share some tips and techniques that will help you be more effective and ethical in the long run.
- Always Do The Right Thing
This seems like a pretty basic piece of advice, but there's power in saying "no" to opportunities, especially if you can see a better opportunity coming up. The difference between someone who says yes and someone who doesn't is immense.
I personally try to avoid making quick decisions that could hurt other parties. In most cases, I want to understand the situation fully before making a decision. But sometimes this is impossible.
In these situations, I try to stick to two rules:
a. If I know it's the right thing to do, I'll say yes.
b. If I know it's the wrong thing to do, I'll say no.
It can be difficult to see yourself as the authority. But ultimately, you should never accept a position or an opportunity unless you're confident that it's the right thing to do.
- Take Accountability For Responsibilities
When you take on responsibility for your actions, it's easier to notice when you're going against the rules or making mistakes. Instead of blaming others for your bad decisions, you can recognize that your decisions are a part of your responsibility.
As a writer, I often fall into the trap of thinking that the client should shoulder the blame for poor communication. But in reality, it's my fault. If I've not done enough research to understand my client's needs, if I've sent them a draft that's too short, or if I haven't followed up on follow-ups - it's my responsibility.
There are times when your client is to blame for a situation, but ultimately, if you make a mistake, you own it.
- Do What's Right, Even If You Have To Take A Loss
This isn't always easy, but if you want to be ethical, you need to set boundaries. Sometimes your responsibility is just to make the right decision. It's easy to fall into the trap of doing what feels good instead of doing what's right. But you can't expect to keep pushing the limits of ethics and accountability if you don't follow through on your responsibilities.
Even if you have to take a financial hit to be ethical, you still have to make sure that your business is thriving. If you're struggling financially, your actions can have dire consequences on your business.
There will be plenty of times where you don't get to make the right decisions. But you shouldn't let that stop you from being honest and doing what's right.