The 5 Ps of Ethical Power

According to Kenneth Blanchard (author of The One Minute manager, and several sequels), ethical decision making is founded on the belief that we don’t have to cheat to win.

To make an ethical decision, consider three questions.

1. Is it legal?
2. Is it for the good of the greatest number of people?
3. How do I feel about the decision made?

The 5 P’s of Ethical Power

1. Picturizing: Seeing yourself as an ethical person reinforces ethical attitude and behavior. For the organization as a whole, an ethical vision is important.
2. Persistence: You can’t be ethical only in choice moments. You must persist in your commitment to ethics.
3. Pride: the most prevailing cause of quarrels between people at work is pride. Pride stops us from asking, seeking, learning and finding out the right thing, and admitting our wrongs.
4. Patience: many people seek immediate rewards for every action. They do things that make them look good now. Real good work takes time to yield fruits.
5. Perspective: Get a mental helicopter and rise above the town. Try to see the big picture, the meaning of things, the values of work and the consequences of decisions