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Business Ethics - Why are ethics important, even in business?

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Enron. Tyco. HealthSouth Corp. WorldCom. Global Crossing Ltd. All of these companies, and so many more, have been involved in ethical scandals in recent years. You�d be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn�t heard the story of at least one of these companies. And people are often quick to shake their heads, click their tongues, and wonder about the state of the world today when CEOs and CFOs and others at the top of the pecking order will outright lie to get ahead in business. But one of the only differences between these companies and so many others? The fact that these unlucky people got caught. And their stories were splashed across the headlines, with every gory detail.

This isn�t to say that every businessperson is unethical. You�re reading this, so you probably have some interest in conducting yourself in an ethical manner. But the sad truth is that situational ethics, or no ethics at all, are in place in too many companies. �The same person who cheats on his taxes or steals office supplies wants honesty and integrity from the corporation whose stock he buys, the politician he votes for, and the client he deals with in his own business,� Maxwell says in his book. This illustrates the fact that people say they want ethics to have a place in all areas of life�for other people. But are we doing all we can to be ethical ourselves?

Remember that you may win in the short-term by getting that raise, covering your mistake, boosting the company�s earnings, and so on, but your dishonesty will catch up with you eventually. And if you�re treating others that way, you can bet you�re on the receiving end of unethical treatment as well.

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