Management Ethics Paper

April Mull University Of Phoenix Joeseph Capebianco PHL/323 January 19, 2012

Management Ethics Paper

In this paper I will discuss my personal ethical system and ground rules. I will talk about how I developed my values and what those values are and the sources I believe I developed them from. I will also discuss how my personal values impact my work environment and how my company values impact my personal values. Development of Values Ones personal values are acquired early in life. At birth we are born with no knowledge. We cry when we are hungry, need our diaper changed or want attention. We lie there content until we need something then we cry. This is the starting point that sets the tone and direction for ones life and the decision-making process. The goal of developing values in children is to establish the capability to make sound judgments (Kohlberg, 1971). The entire process of value development is lifelong and continuous (Nucci, 2002). Personal Values Personal values are almost like DNA, individual to one person. Personal values are those that define me as a person: I believe that people are responsible for his/her own actionsI believe in family unityI believe in compassionI believe in the importance of a good educationI believe in having good work ethicsI believe in loveI believe in honestyI believe in choiceI believe we are who we want to beI believe that we learn from our mistakesI believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth FairyI believe my dad is still my heroI believe in GodI believe in me. Sources for Development of my Values Being from a Southern background the concepts of honesty, family, education and work ethics were instilled at an early age. We would have family get-togethers whenever we could arrange them and annual family reunions have always been a big part of my life. Family unity regardless of how bad the situation was for a family member has always brought us closer together and made our bonds stronger. Family unity in my opinion is watching a family member grow, whether from childhood or an older person changing and guiding them with good values. For me, family unity has come from open and honest lines of communication. As a child I always remember family being there for guidance through any given situation that came along whether it was good or bad. I may not have always liked what I was being told but I learned to develop an appreciation for what I was being told. By my teenage years I had developed a valuable belief system in my family because of the positive outcomes I

Management Ethics Paper

has seen with my other family members. My parents always stressed the value of honesty. I grew up hearing honesty is the best policy. A persons honesty is the basis for determining the value of their word. Honesty leads to the creation of a lasting relationship based on trust and credibility. In certain situations being honest may hurt someones feelings but I have to decide for myself where my values lie. I can remember when I had to call my dad and tell him I had been arrested and was in jail. My dad came to the jail, posted my bond, and took me home. He did not judge me but only told me that family will always be there. I never allowed myself to become involved in that sort of trouble again and to this day I still repeat that same phrase to my daughter and family whenever the need arises. My parents also instilled in me the value of a good education. That education was the tool needed for success in todays world. That we should never stop wanting to learn more. If we should stop wanting to learn then our life will become very boring and common place. My parents always said that life was just one big educational experience that we should always strive for a higher degree in. Work ethics were also a large part of the values my parents and family instilled in me. To show up for work daily, to be on time, and to be mindful of my appearance are values that remain with me to this day. Factors Utilized to Revise my Individual Values When I compare my values that I presently hold to those in my earlier years I can see that they may be comparable, the perception of my values has improved. My core values have not changes but the way that I uphold the values have changed because of the experiences I have had in my life. For example, my ability to value honesty has undergone change because of my life experiences. Such as- if a family member asks if there was any hope for his/her loved one I would say that there is always hope. I would do this even though all indicators showed that there was no hope for the patient. It is not that my value of honesty has changed only my interpretation has changed. As I become older and more mature, I believe this affects the implementation of my values. I have developed a better understanding of how important my values are in encouraging my behaviors. I have taught myself to have a plan that will direct me in a direction that will be satisfying throughout my life rather than just satisfying my immediate needs. When I look at a situation now I look at others who may be involved and not just myself. I do this because I have matured over the years and can effectively implement my values and put them into practice without changing the values themselves.

Management Ethics Paper

Potential Impact of my Values on my Work Environment

Being in the healthcare profession my personal values play an important role on my work environment. Being able to provide compassionate care to patients with catastrophic illness puts my values to the test on a daily basis. I strive to have the reputation of giving quality care each and every day and offering my highest possible level of expertise and experience to all my patients so that they may return to productive lives. My personal values have allowed me to gain more success at work through selfawareness, prioritizing tasks, ethical decision making, and developing credibility. Knowing what I value is the key to improving my ability to make informed decisions which in turn leads to better job performance. In most cases I have been able to balance my personal values with my work environment. My personal values at work define how I work and relate with my peers, patients, and colleagues. I respect the fact that my values may not be shared by all my coworkers. When I find that one of my values may not be that of my company I try to find a common ground that will create a win-win situation. Potential Impact of my Companys Values on my Work Environment My perception of my companys values has a positive effect on my level of dedication to my career. Knowing my companys values permits me to work in an environment that is supports my own personal values. The company also has a set of core values that all employees are held accountable for. The core values are respect, excellence, care and compassion. Conclusion My personal values are who I am regardless of whether I am in a personal or professional setting. My decisions are based on my teachings at home and through life experiences. The ability to make accurate, informed decisions quickly are important in my work. There are times when I must place my personal value on the back burner and allow for company values to take precedence when there is no time for finding a common ground to accomplish a life-threatening task. .

Management Ethics Paper

References Kohlberg, L. (1971). Stages of moral development. Retrieved Jan 19, 2012, from http/www.xenodochy.org/ex/lists/moraldev.html Nucci, L. (2002). Moral development and moral education: An overview. Retrieved Jan 19, 2012 from http://tigger.uic.edu/~Inucci/MoralEd/overview