There's been a scandal in the local news. It's not a scandal that involves me, my friends, my family members, neighborhood or work place, but it's a scandal I'm interested in since it appears that a group of public servants broke the law, doctored the records, and didn't act ethically, professionally or legally. As I read about this, I had a lot of questions.
I wondered how the cheating culture began, and I wondered if some didn't give it much thought and simply cheated because everyone else was doing it. I also wondered about these individuals including their original reasons for doing the work they do, and how they fell into a practice of acting illegally. And, I wondered about their families and their lives after this--I bet if they had to do things over they would not have cheated, and would have done what is right since the consequences of getting caught may be very severe and heartbreaking.
There have been times in my life when I have encountered cheating, unprofessional, and unethical behavior, and I can say it is difficult to go against the tide by speaking up, questioning, and not supporting this kind of activity. Speaking up often incurs the wrath or backlash of others--yet I know it's best to speak up rather than go along with actions that are inappropriate.
There have been times too when I've erred, and fortunately because I work with many noble and professional people, I've been steered in the right direction rather than turn error into practice. Good culture honors ethical, professional, legal, and trustworthy behavior.
I've used the story in the paper to discuss ethics and doing the right thing with my sons. As they begin new pursuits as young men, I want them to make ethical decisions and do the right thing. I don't want them to get entrenched in a cheating culture of any kind. I'd rather them live modest, ethical lives than lives that challenge the law, ethics, and professional behavior.
Sometimes doing the right thing is a challenge, but it's a challenge worth the effort and strife it sometimes demands.
I wondered how the cheating culture began, and I wondered if some didn't give it much thought and simply cheated because everyone else was doing it. I also wondered about these individuals including their original reasons for doing the work they do, and how they fell into a practice of acting illegally. And, I wondered about their families and their lives after this--I bet if they had to do things over they would not have cheated, and would have done what is right since the consequences of getting caught may be very severe and heartbreaking.
There have been times in my life when I have encountered cheating, unprofessional, and unethical behavior, and I can say it is difficult to go against the tide by speaking up, questioning, and not supporting this kind of activity. Speaking up often incurs the wrath or backlash of others--yet I know it's best to speak up rather than go along with actions that are inappropriate.
There have been times too when I've erred, and fortunately because I work with many noble and professional people, I've been steered in the right direction rather than turn error into practice. Good culture honors ethical, professional, legal, and trustworthy behavior.
I've used the story in the paper to discuss ethics and doing the right thing with my sons. As they begin new pursuits as young men, I want them to make ethical decisions and do the right thing. I don't want them to get entrenched in a cheating culture of any kind. I'd rather them live modest, ethical lives than lives that challenge the law, ethics, and professional behavior.
Sometimes doing the right thing is a challenge, but it's a challenge worth the effort and strife it sometimes demands.