Ethics in Business is Overrated

 

"You know, we're living in a society! We're supposed to act in a civilised way" - George Costanza, Seinfeld. 

The most idiotic character in a sitcom about uncivilised people had the good sense to utter the above words back in the early 90's. However, these words still hold a weirdly relevant and poignant meaning now. Sometimes it does feel as though we as a people have decided to act uncivilised while claiming to be civil.

The title of this article is a blatant indictment of what it means to be human. Ethics is an essential part of humanity - not just in business but in every facet of life. The whole point of human civilisation is based on common decency and cooperation between individuals and groups alike. Ethics is not a word to be thrown around lightly. It is the summation of all the moral principles we must possess or endeavour to possess so as to become better individuals.

While I will concede that in the world of business, the role of ethics is often questionable at best, it is nevertheless a serious issue. Top executives of global corporations have a lot of power that they must exercise to move them toward their future goals without jeopardizing the environment around them - ecological or social. Calling ethics in business overrated is an excuse to remove the existence of ethics from one's mind during the course of business. Profits are not everything.

We must be mindful of our actions no matter what we are doing. I acknowledge that the discussion about what is ethical and what is unethical can lead to unending debates among the most prolific philosophers of the world. However, it is not about the winner of such debates but the deliberation and careful consideration shown during the process of the debates which is essential. We must always remember to act in a way that does not harm people.

Being ethical in a business scenario can only enhance one's image as a fair and uncompromising individual. Let us ignore the obvious fact that being ethical is right for the time being. Let us assume the mindset of an individual whose only goal is to ensure the success of their business and to enjoy the continued benefits of being involved with the successful venture. In this era of social media and strong public opinion, it is next to impossible to have a clean image as a corporate executive if one does not follow certain ethical guidelines. Every new business project must be viewed from varying perspectives to understand that it is never just about a single company or it's board of directors or the CEO themselves. The butterfly effect of the actions of corporate leaders must be acknowledged. 

Hence, even if one does not fully appreciate the concept of being ethical or acting in such a way that is morally right, it still makes sense to acknowledge the relevance of ethical decision-making purely for the sake of the survival of the business itself. However, it is always best to approach the topic of ethics with a positive attitude as an attempt to use ethics for the sole purpose of ethics is itself unethical.

Such a discussion can go on for weeks if not longer. In conclusion, the relevance and importance of ethics should not be questioned in any way, shape or form in any aspect of life. It is a cornerstone of humanity itself. It is our subconscious telling us if our actions are warranted or not. The ultimate action taken is not as important as the deliberation with which the decision to take the ultimate action has come about. We must face up to the consequences of our actions and in this age of corporate giants, the consequences of even seemingly irrelevant actions might be far-reaching and dangerous. Business leaders must always attempt to be ethical while they deliberate on ways to further business activities. They should at least try to be better.