My Thoughts On An Essay About Ethical Lapse

I recently read the essay, Three Causes of Ethical Lapse in Today’s Business, by Jeffrey Van Duzer and in the piece, he wrote about three pragmatic factors that could lead one to have an ethical lapse: speed, spin, and stuff. I thought these were good factors that he highlighted and each one of these factors can have a powerful influence on whether we stray off the ethical path in our work.

Speed

The first factor, speed, is about how there is a greater expectation in the quantity of work expected of people. High expectations can sometimes be unrealistic and could lead one to have an ethical lapse to meet the target goal or output. We can only do so much within the time constraint that we all have and the limits of our minds and body. We are humans, not machines. Unfortunately, this factor can cause some to make unethical decisions to reach a business objective.

Spin

The next factor, spin, is so prevalent in our world today. It is the ability to take something and present it in a way where it gives a more remarkable impression than the actual truth. Spinning something is about taking some partial information and weaving it into a form that tells a more extraordinary story or a convincing argument. Most of us use spin to varying degrees in our jobs and careers. Sometimes this is used to give the impression that a business or individual is capable of?

Stuff

The final factor, stuff, Jeffrey said, is probably the most powerful where the accumulation of wealth could drive one to have an ethical lapse. This factor is well known throughout human history, as evident in classical literature such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the Wolf on Wall Street. I’ve never been in a position in my career where there were opportunities to make leaps in the accumulation of wealth. I’ve always thought that the pure pursuit of wealth leads to the deterioration of the mind, leading one to walk an immoral path.?

Alternatives

At the end of his essay, Jeffrey provides three strategies that he recommends one to use to lead a more fulfilling life. His methods are taking the time to slow down, acknowledging your limits, and finally, instead of continuing to accumulate wealth, give some of it away to charitable causes. These are great strategies that all of us can apply in our lives.

When it comes to being a student and an employee, I must pace myself and take the necessary breaks to keep my mind and body optimal for doing work. It’s also important to know your limits and be alright with them. We are all human, and no one is perfect; be mindful of who you are and gracefully accept yourself. At times, I have contributed to organizations and causes that I feel deliver some form of positivity. In addition, there are other ways to make positive contributions without involving money, such as donating your time to a worthy cause or sharing knowledge with others.

We are all unique and we all need to be mindful of who we are. Keep these factors out of your life path and focus on attaining your goals at your own pace.

Image courtesy of José Martín Ramírez Carrasco.