Personal Ethics versus Professional Ethics

Integrity, honesty, and moral conduct are essential elements in a good leader. Most people would agree with that statement. Disagreement comes when these standards are applied equally to personal and professional lives. The general thinking of society today maintains that if it doesnt hurt anyone else, I can do whatever I wish. What I do in my private life is my business. My employer has no right to evaluate or punish me for my private conduct as long as my job performance is not degraded. This philosophy is applied -- especially in the civilian sector -- to using drugs, drinking alcohol, having sex, lying, and cheating. Increasingly, the courts are agreeing with this position. In the military, we take a different view. Drugs are not tolerated. Alcohol abuse can ruin a career. Sexual involvement with other people in the workplace is disciplined -- and in many cases prohibited. Dishonesty is severely punished. Since becoming a general officer, I have heard senior leaders say at various times to closed-door gatherings of general officers, If you are sleeping around with someone other than your spouse, stop it You will be discovered. If you insist on such conduct, have the integrity to resign and take off your uniform. These are strong words, and the implication is clear for senior leaders, private and public lines are almost erased. We do not have the freedom to conduct ourselves any way we desire in private. Unfortunately, we can no longer assume that ethics and integrity are givens for people who solemnly take their oath of office as military personnel. Thus, we must institute controls and accountability. In so doing, we are saying that private and professional ethics must be the same. I am firmly convinced that integrity and ethics must be built from within, reserving the law and fear as last choices only. The real question is, How do we do this In this article, I submit a number of suggestions for consideration.