In today’s highly competitive modern world, we can read more and more press reports about unethical behaviour in business, politics or even social activities. And how do we feel about it? Indifferent? Emotional? Have we become blase, numb, calloused or de-sensitized because such news seems to be the norm more than ever? Or are we part of the voice that is rising in crescendo to object to current trends?
In the light of recent events which have triggered silent national outrage, some leaders seem to have forgotten that values underpin the rules by which one can make responsible and sane decisions about good and bad, right and wrong, or simply about our likes or dislikes. What happens when one goes about one’s duties without an upright value system?
What about morals? Morals are about good and bad. People are judged more on their morals than values. A person can be described as immoral, yet there is no word for them not following values. What happens when one's action, even in the line of duty, reflects a lack of morals?
Let's not forget professional ethics. They are the rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. Any organization will have a code of conduct for its members. One begins to wonder if that particular organization which is making headlines has a code of conduct and, if so, what is being done to ensure that its staff members adhere to this. Or is it a free for all with no cctv cameras around? Far too many unanswered questions have stirred the rumblings from the north to south, east to west and these rumblings are rising to a higher pitch day by day ...
The bottom line is that morals, values and ethics are more than just sayings, rules or laws. They imply a duty or action that one should take. But they also imply that taking these actions is “right” or “good”. Not performing in that way is “wrong” or “bad”.
One of the problems of upholding morals and values in business is that the morals and values of one person may differ from that of another, even that of the majority of society who do not conform to negative influences. But what happens if its leaders do not seem to place an emphasis on fairness, justice and non-discrimination?
It is therefore an obligation of leaders to define basic values, morals and values that they want their staff members to adhere to. This can be done in team mission statements or when defining team goals or business policies. One cannot attempt to reduce the collateral damage inflicted by irresponsible members by hypocritical, trite or overgeneralized, illogical, ridiculous and implausible statements that attempt to rationalize the questionable, unethical and irresponsible acts!
One’s morals extend beyond merely knowing a policy or even knowing the law. Very often, people who are sentenced admit that they knew what they did was wrong, but they did it anyway!
Some people do not answer the question: “Is it right?” before they carry out a task. They simply see the task as a way of getting what they want by obeying instruction even if it goes beyond sane limits and they simply carry out the act.
Any organization or leader must encourage honesty and high moral standards as the actions of an individual in the team can impugn the moral ethos of the entire team or organization as recent events have shown. And this cannot be an overnight affair. In the first place, one must look at the life of the leader and assess if she has displayed exemplary behaviour and if not, why was he or she chosen to lead in the first place?
One cannot fool the people all the time. It only takes one or two people to realise what is going on, to expose the poor morals and bring disrepute to the organization. It is obviously a worry if that unhealthy trend or practice is in the ascendant. The more frequent the errors made, the bigger the implication of moral decline in the organization.
Most people say their conscience bothers them when they do something wrong. This conscience is both intellectual and emotional. It involves both knowing right from wrong and having a good or guilty feeling or notion about what you are doing. What happens if the evidence shows that some have acted with no conscience, accountability and humanity?
Most religions teach us that each of us has an inner voice or conscience. This conscience may be stronger in some people than in others. So why then is conscience absent? Can those who are responsible for misdeeds sleep in peace, eat normally and smile at the rest of society and say all’s well that ends well? Or are they haunted by the ghost of their past misconduct? In every way they turn, will they hear the voice of their inner man beckoning them to confession?
Studies have shown that people with low self-esteem, who are not properly socialized with the correct value system are more likely to act immorally as they do not care enough about themselves to consider their actions to be important. Their belief in their lack of importance makes doing either right or wrong seem unimportant, and diminishes their conscience or guilt. At the end of the day, one may be motivated by false ideological aims or even material gains or blind obedience to masters. Is this the way Man is progressing in what is supposed to be a modern society? How pathetic!
At the rate events unfold, it is imperative for all quarters from the family to school to wider society to the authorities concerned to value the inputs of each employee and, treating these with respect, to encourage high self-esteem actions and eschew whatever prejudices, wrong attitudes – admittedly a monumental task indeed – and develop into wholesome individuals of a society that is united, fair and equal, admittedly a tall order, but nevertheless a worthwhile dream.
The current negative political climate whereby dirty linen is washed in public and members of one party attack another is most unhealthy. How one feels about others also determines one's moral sense. If one values others highly, one will be considerate and act with compassion and moral sense. One will consider the effect one’s actions will have on others and will want to do what is right and good.
However, if one feels that others have hurt one and are against one, one may lose empathy for their feelings. And that is exactly what we can see in the current scenario. One may not recognise their value and worth and may not feel compassion for their welfare. No wonder, some show no compassion at the death of a poor young man with a promising future.
Many books or theories highlight personality types, especially the defunct, who are empathy-challenged in that they may have an empty or a limited capacity for empathy. In fact, they could be so narcissistic that they view themselves as a gift to the world, perfect and the epitome of the perfect leader to lead society ... may I add – to destruction.
When looking at “the enemy”, narcissistic leaders will not have compassion for them. Their conscience, if it exists, is in abeyance when acting against an enemy. A good example is in the business world where people may incorrectly see their competitors as the enemy and engage in immoral business practices to “beat” or financially disadvantage the enemy. Stealing is stealing, and if you acquire money immorally at someone else’s expense it will eventually backfire and reflect negatively on you or the business you represent. But what will happen if such characters become political leaders? Would criminalisation of politics crystallize, especially if one has power, money, influence and status?
Being the idealist that I am, I believe that human nature is basically good and most people will not try to “gain” or “win” at the expense of harming or disabling another – unless they are evil personified and one can tell by the wake of evil deeds these black sheep leave behind.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that somehow, we are all connected and any action that we take in life or business should not hamper the success, health or welfare of another. As humans, it is our obligation and duty to contribute to the growth and success of us all but alas, as society progresses, Man seems to have regressed in many ways and what we are witnessing in many parts of the world is the de-fragmentation of society.
The current mood is quite depressing. The situation seems bleak with little hope of change and wherever we turn, we can read more and more depressing news. In fact, I know of many who have stopped caring but indifference and passivity can only exacerbate matters and stunt growth or catalysts for change. We can do something in our own little ways as long as it does not break the law. All it takes are small steps we take to stir the collective consciousness and moral ground of others for them to know that the next time round, they must vote by their conscience and not by party or any other reason to right the wrongs in our beautiful country.
In closing, when I was in Year 1 in the late 1960's, I sang "Berjaya" proudly. My parents thought I was beyond redemption but even at that young age, I remember how my heart swelled with pride and how I stood upright and sang one of my favourite songs with so much gusto. That song still holds meaning for me because no matter what, if each and every citizen or leader were to speak, act and work with a clear conscience and full realization of their vital role in nation-building, certainly Malaysia will 'berjaya" (succeed)....
I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after. – Ernest Hemingway in "Death in the Afternoon."
