MANAGEMENT
WANT ETHICAL staff? BE THE MODEL. Ethical character leads to positive outcomes, both in person and on social media.
Karen Helderman, CPA
Integrity is synonymous
with honesty, reliability and honor. C.S. Lewis summed up the definition of integrity best in his famous quote, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” As CPAs, we know the public is always watching and expects us to act with integrity and choose a path of honesty, respect and professionalism. Your integrity really comes to life and is tested as you go about your daily routine and make important choices. Those of us in leadership positions have additional responsibilities when it comes to integrity. Not only must we set an example and exhibit ethical behavior, we are on the front line, promoting a culture where our employees want to act with integrity and feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns. What can you do to create this type of culture? Some ideas include:
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DISCLOSURES
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JULY/AUGUST 2020
• Engage with your staff by asking questions and truly listening to their responses. Show you are listening by repeating what you have heard and, when appropriate, follow up the discussion with an email. • Reward staff who demonstrate ethical behavior. Recognize and reward employees who gain accomplishments ethically or put the interest of others above their own. This signals to other employees that ethical behavior is important to your organization. • Give your staff credit for their ideas. Public acknowledgement that an employee recommended an idea that elicited positive change not only gives the employee a sense of pride, but also sets an example for others to follow.
