Innoculation from Dishonesty

Can an Outward Mindset help inoculate you and your organization from the temptations of dishonest behavior? A participant at one of our recent presentations shared that her training team has been wrestling with training to strengthen integrity. Part of the plan was training to help in the hiring process to screen out candidates who would show signs they would compromise their integrity. Another was developing training that reinforced honest workplace conduct.

When we have an inward mindset, we are self-focused. Others don't matter like we matter. We are blind to their humanity and thus we turn them into objects. Do you really care about the impact you have on an object? The temptation to engage in dishonest behavior is far greater when we don't consider the impact on other people. I'm thinking only of my needs and gains and not of the consequences on others around me nor my organization.

Conversely, with an outward mindset, others matter like I matter. I consider not only their needs and objectives but my impact on them. I contend, therefore, that one is more likely to consider the ramifications of dishonest behavior if they are alive to the impact. Going further, in an outward mindset organization, the workplace is a safe place. The environment is one of appropriate transparency. Honest discourse can take place without defensiveness nor fear providing further inoculation to all from the temptations of dishonest behavior.

I use 'temptation' purposefully. Senior leaders know all too well that there are those who constantly vie for their attention. Its easy fall into ethical traps. We are human. We fail. If we create an outward mindset environment, we create the sunlight that lets others warn us without fear of reprisal because that person honors our humanity and cares about our organization.