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ETHICS, PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND COMMUNICATION

“THE MAN IN THE GLASS”

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
and the world makes you king for a day.
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, your mother or wife
whose judgment upon you must pass.
The person whose verdict counts most in your life,
is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you’re a straight shootin’ chum,
and call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
if you can’t look him right in the eye.

For he’s the fella to please, never mind all the rest,
he’s with you clear up to the end.
And you’ve passed the most difficult task,
if the guy in the glass is your friend

You may fool the whole world, down the pathway of years,
and get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartbreak and tears,
if you cheated the man in the glass.
Author Unknown

Ethics, by definition: Of, or relating to moral action, conduct, motive or character;
also, relating to duties or conforming to professional standards of conduct; Integrity.

I remember one of my first instructions in ethics was: “Don’t do anything that you
cannot discuss openly with your wife or that violates the Ten Commandments.”
Another lesson was to remember the three “Rs”: Respect for self; Respect for others;
Responsibility for all your actions.

We sometimes equate ethics and professionalism with “character” and “reputation.”
However, if we look closely we will find considerable differences in the definitions of
these terms.

Character is defined as: the aggregate of the moral qualities which belong to and
distinguish an individual person.