I had a client - an Indigenous nation that had many issues with their group retirement plan. All the external systematic issues you’d imagine but also internal problems. I had to halt loans and withdrawals because it was clear that there were serious errors that needed to be addressed. I was removed from the client. I wish I had been brave enough to report the issues formally to all the various authorities. Complex in a global company operating across borders and legislations.
An important and interesting piece, thank you Rachel.
To be honest, I think most people who have worked in a large corporation have experienced a misalignment with their personal values in a professional capacity - perhaps minor, but it shifts us out of true integrity nonetheless. I certainly have - and this is part of the reason I am now working as a consultant. The only way I’ve found I can have true integrity in my work is by working for myself.
Your highlighting of the misconceptions is crucial - integrity is often caught up in moral judgement.
I think acting in true integrity - particularly when things get hard, judgement is directed or it’s financially tempting to sway - is one of the most courageous and difficult things for humans. I am getting better as I mature but it requires a lot of humility and a very thick skin.
You don't necessarily begin an interaction with both parties' interests aligned; sometimes there is going to be conflict. To me, being in integrity means 1) understanding where you are in and out of alignment, 2) doing (or trying to) find alignment, and 3) taking actions which you feel are as fair as possible to the interests of all parties. Sometimes that's not possible, and the chasms are just too great to overcome. IMO the chances of success greatly increase by starting from a sense of curiosity and exploration, and using Motivational Interviewing and Nonviolent Communications techniques.
I had a client - an Indigenous nation that had many issues with their group retirement plan. All the external systematic issues you’d imagine but also internal problems. I had to halt loans and withdrawals because it was clear that there were serious errors that needed to be addressed. I was removed from the client. I wish I had been brave enough to report the issues formally to all the various authorities. Complex in a global company operating across borders and legislations.
An important and interesting piece, thank you Rachel.
To be honest, I think most people who have worked in a large corporation have experienced a misalignment with their personal values in a professional capacity - perhaps minor, but it shifts us out of true integrity nonetheless. I certainly have - and this is part of the reason I am now working as a consultant. The only way I’ve found I can have true integrity in my work is by working for myself.
Your highlighting of the misconceptions is crucial - integrity is often caught up in moral judgement.
I think acting in true integrity - particularly when things get hard, judgement is directed or it’s financially tempting to sway - is one of the most courageous and difficult things for humans. I am getting better as I mature but it requires a lot of humility and a very thick skin.
Thanks Larissa. Personally, I find the act of deciding what not to do (and thinking through why) such a powerful values compass.
You don't necessarily begin an interaction with both parties' interests aligned; sometimes there is going to be conflict. To me, being in integrity means 1) understanding where you are in and out of alignment, 2) doing (or trying to) find alignment, and 3) taking actions which you feel are as fair as possible to the interests of all parties. Sometimes that's not possible, and the chasms are just too great to overcome. IMO the chances of success greatly increase by starting from a sense of curiosity and exploration, and using Motivational Interviewing and Nonviolent Communications techniques.
Indeed but the key is to be honest about the misalignment. If both parties choose to accept, it’s okay from a trust perspective.
And I'll 95% agree with you on that. In the vast majority of times, you can come to either an agreement or an agreement to disagree.