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Developing a Moral/Ethical Life's View
+Moral/Ethical Life's View (My Decisions)
Our working definition of a +Moral/Ethical Life's View is:
A viewpoint and code of behavior derived from a well-developed moral conscience that points true North in regard to matters of character, principle, and conduct as illustrated in all the core Leadership Values of Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage.
The synonyms for a +Moral/Ethical Life's View are:
Someone who is coming from a position or Values validated viewpoint that can be variably described as: Good, Right, Honest, Decent, Proper, Honorable, Just, Principled, and/or Fair.
What is a Moral/Ethical Life's View?
Ethics, and what is morally right has to do with both the intention and consequences of our decisions and behavior. This Aristotelian view of ethical behavior is based upon the belief that our words and deeds are intended to always be for the greater good of both the individual as well as society. Therefore, Ethical behavior is viewed and measured by this absolute standard of what is right and best for all, rather than the limited and relative situational view of what is only best from the individual's needs, desires and interests.
This view holds that Ethical behavior is not based on the evaluation of the situation relative to personal benefit or advantage at the expense of others, but focuses instead on the absolute right thing to do regardless of personal consequences.
Thus, moral principles are codified as personal values and become our self-imposed standards of behavior. In this +Ethical/Moral Life's View, our personal values become the basis for guiding our behaviors according to the ethical and moral principles that are implicit in the holding of those personal values important to us. Our well-developed personal values create the guidelines for what we consider to be moral and ethical behavior.
Why is it important to have a positive +Ethical/Moral Life's View? Where does it come from? What implications does the strong presence or relative absence of this personality characteristic, and the personal values that support it have for someone in a leadership role? Let us explore answers to these questions and in the process illustrate some reasons for the importance of having a "Moral Conscience" that points us toward ethical behavior.
Where Does a Moral/Ethical Life's View Come From?
Moral and Ethical behavior has it's origins in acting on well developed personal values. It often takes great personal Courage to act ethically and with Integrity. Ethical behavior also requires that we act with a highly developed sense of Responsibility to do the right thing, and to balance our Achievement of personal goals and aspirations with the priority of the greater good for all.
Our +Moral/Ethical Life's View reflects our inner concept of the kind of person we want to be, and that person is ultimately defined by our personal core values. Thus, values such as Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage are inherently forward-looking, future oriented, and reflective of the future self-concept we have of how we see ourselves acting, both morally and ethically.
Why is a Moral/Ethical Life's View Important?
Leaders with a well-developed Moral Conscience are constantly consulting and clarifying their personal values, and in turn modifying their behavior accordingly in support of an overall +Moral/Ethical Life's View.
By continually balancing decisions and behaviors from this Values validated viewpoint, they build trust and credibility into their Leadership, and earn the loyalty, confidence, and respect of their followers. When the Leader builds a Moral & Ethical perspective into the overall goals and Vision they have for the future, others can more readily commit to supporting the direction and stated purposes they are asking of their followers. This is the source of true Leadership power, strength, and ultimate success as taught by the lessons of history.
The Importance of Faith In a Moral/Ethical Life's View
As we formulate our personal +Moral/Ethical Life's View, we can look beyond ourselves, and the help of others in recognition that there is something more permanent and powerful than the individual. A belief in God and the related tenets of organized Religion fulfills this very important need to nurture the spirit and to guide us toward Moral and Ethical behaviors in the context of practicing our personal religious beliefs. As our Religion becomes interwoven into the matrix of our Values and Beliefs, we acknowledge the existence of a greater power and influence on our daily lives.
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