Gretta KelziOperations Manager/Ethics Insights Team| Esri Lebanon/PMIJdeidet Al Maten, Al Maten, Lebanon
What drives your interactions with your workspace environment?
Is it "ethical values" or "professional attitude"?
Are "Ethics" and "Professionalism" separable and distinct or tightly linked?
Help me solve this enigma… Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Dec 11, 2020 10:57 AM
Replying to Gretta Kelzi
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Very insightful Sergio, looking at what you have stated at the enterprise organizational level, this is totally perfect, however if we look at it from a practical, micro level, things become more critical, and this is where Ethics become the essential pillar that drives our behavior and decision.
At that level, the Code of Conduct or the way an organization call it still remains. Is a matter to follow the rules or not. The decision at all levels rest in everyone. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
One way to behave professionally is to reflect on ethics. So if you are not ethical, you are also not professional.
Not because there is a code I could reflect on rationally, but because ethics should give an intrinsic unconscious guidance how to perceive, judge and act. Then you are perceived as authentic, honest, fair, respectful etc., which can be called professional.
We feel unethical behavior of ourselves and others, we for example perceive unfairness, disrespect or irresponsible behavior with emotions. Saving Changes...
Gretta KelziOperations Manager/Ethics Insights Team| Esri Lebanon/PMIJdeidet Al Maten, Al Maten, Lebanon
Dec 11, 2020 11:20 AM
Replying to Ashish Bharti
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It's a very interesting question Gretta. As PMI members we all are expected to follow code of ethics defined in the PMBOK. As Sergio pointed out, most organizations have code of conduct defined and that defines the organization's ethical standard.
Things become more complicated when a person holds an unpopular value/belief which may come in direct conflict with what the organization considers professional. I know of people who have faced such a situation. In some organizations, small harmless lies are quite acceptable but because of someone's personal faith a person may be uncomfortable even if it's a harmless lie.
Such issues can usually be overcome by having a talk with your superior officer. However, in rare cases it may come to unresolvable conflicts and then leaving the organization may be the only viable option. But remember, leaving should be the last option.
Great review Ashish, thank you for pointing out to the PMI Code of Ethics, being a leader, a PM, a project owner... means that you have to show respect and trust your team, in order to be trusted and respected. This is why, in all circumstances and decision making process, I thin Ethics come ahead of professional conduct. Saving Changes...
Gretta KelziOperations Manager/Ethics Insights Team| Esri Lebanon/PMIJdeidet Al Maten, Al Maten, Lebanon
Dec 11, 2020 11:44 AM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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Its hard to separate the two concepts. Professions typically have Code of Ethics. I don't believe one can be a professional without a code of ethics however the Code does not fully define the profession. Although paid by clients, organizations or corporations the professional serves the public and thus a professionals first obligation is to the public.
Although a professional must have a code of ethics one does not have to be a professional to be ethical or commit to a code.
Cut to the bottom - ethics first, professionalism second.
Peter, interesting way to handle this topic. This is totally applicable on the individual level, and it becomes harder at the enterprise level, especially with the absence of authentic leadership. Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
I understand the concept that leadership comes from the top however from a professional and ethical perspective leadership comes from within the organization - middle management and the ranks. If management requires me to be unethical (unprofessional) it remains my choice. If the response is "I can't afford to be ethical (job loss)" then I would argue your ethics are pretty shallow (non-existent). Ethics is not for sale. Saving Changes...
Albert AgbemenuManaging Director| Seag Focus Ghana LtdAccra, Ghana
Thanks for raising this Gretta.
I believe both are mutually inclusive. They both ride side by side. For you to be a diligent professional, you equally must be ethically upright. I believe every well organized professional body or organization globally has a professional code of conduct or something similar, just as PMI has. Embedded in these codes are ethical values. It will be very rare in my opinion to find a well-structured professional organization or firm that has no ethical values or that does not hold its members to certain ethical standards. If they were human, then I will say they must be twins… I may be wrong though… Saving Changes...
Amany NuseibehSpeaker, Global Leader | Optimal ConsultingSydney, Nsw, Australia
Thank you @Gretta for posting this interesting question.
I see a very tight link and interdependency between ethics and professionalism.
The definition of ethics: moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
The definition of professionalism (https://www.queensu.ca/teachingandlearning...sionalism.html) - The skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well” Merrium-Webster, n.d.
- 'Professionalism' is commonly understood as an individual's adherence to a set of standards, code of conduct or collection of qualities that characterize accepted practice within a particular area of activity” Universities UK et al. 2004
Briefly put, our ethical values are translated and portrayed as professional behaviors - they are tightly linked. Saving Changes...
