Ethics in Business: How to Live Your Values
Ethics in business are the guiding principles, beliefs and the motivational constructs that guide the day-to-day operations of an organization and shape its culture.
When the work we do matches our morals, we are usually content with our life. However, when our way of living is out of sync with our values, we may not feel right. This can lead to unhappiness and a progressive decline in our business.
As per reports, businesses driven with a high sense of purpose outperform others by as much as 400%. Ethics in business are, therefore, essential for its success. Here are some ways you can live your values while creating a profitable business.
Utilise your talents for a cause
What is your forte? Are you a professional writer or a designer? Or are you great at public speaking? Whatever be your enterprise, see if you can use it to help others. Find out ways to create a positive impact in the world.
Associate with projects that matter
Look around you. You are sure to find issues that are more about impact than just earning profits. You can collaborate with some that appeal to you.
Ethics in business – Donate
Every year resolve to donate a certain percentage of your profits to a cause after your heart. This is a great way to impact the life of your fellow citizens. No matter how much you are earning, donating a part of it can be a great way to give back to society. Above all, the satisfaction you’ll get by helping those in need is beyond compare.
Adhere to your core values at all times
It is important to uphold your values, principles and integrity at all stages, when running a business. It is easy to succumb to temptations and look for shortcuts to success, but remember, success that is achieved using the wrong means will always be shortlived and won’t give you the same sense of accomplishment as you would get when you follow the righteous path to get there.
So, in all your interactions and dealings, keep your ethics in business on the forefront. This not only helps you live your truth, but also allows your enterprise to succeed in a fair and honest way.
It can be quite easy to lose sight of your ethics in business when you are focused on the task at hand. So, how to always keep in mind your core values? You can make it prominent in your workplace. Post it in places where you and your employees are likely to see it several times a day. The daily reminders will help reinforce the values.
Finally, you can consider promoting organizational values by rewarding actions and behaviours that demonstrate them. Acknowledge and reward your employees for exhibiting behaviours that align with the company’s character. This not only makes the employees feel good, but also encourages others to follow suit.
Your ethics in business tell the world who you are and what you stand for. Therefore, it is crucial that you clearly define a set of values for your business that you follow and encourage other to follow in order to create a strong work culture that others look up to.