Thinking before Whats Apping?

Chapter 15: The Power of the "Yes Check" for Ethical Decision Making (an extract chapter (still working on it) fron my Book "Second Mouse Gets the Cheese")

In this fast-paced world, especially in highly regulated environments like banking, it's easy to get caught up in the race for targets, deadlines, and profitability. Yet, in the pursuit of success, it’s critical to maintain integrity and make decisions that align with your values and the greater good. This is where the concept of the "Yes Check" comes into play.

The Yes Check is a simple but powerful tool that encourages reflection and ethical decision-making, designed to help you navigate complex situations and ensure your actions align with both internal and external expectations. It was particularly effective in my experience working in Banking, especially in the wake of the banking crisis of 2008-2009, where decision-making often had wide-ranging consequences.

What Is the Yes Check?

The Yes Check is a five-question framework that allows you to pause and consider the ethical implications of your actions or decisions. It serves as a guide to help you assess whether you’re acting in a responsible and ethical manner, even in situations that may feel ambiguous or uncertain.

Here’s the checklist:

1. Does what I am doing keep others safe? Safety—whether it’s physical, emotional, financial, or social—should always be a top priority. Before making any decision, ask yourself if your actions will harm anyone or put them at risk. This goes beyond immediate safety concerns and extends to the long-term consequences of your choices.
2. Would my customers and colleagues say I was acting with integrity? Integrity is foundational to trust and relationships, both in business and personal life. Consider whether your actions are transparent, honest, and aligned with your ethical values. If a customer or colleague were to hear about your decision, would they feel that you acted ethically?
3. Am I happy with how this would be perceived on the outside? The external perception of your actions is vital, especially in professional settings. It’s essential to consider how others—both within and outside your organization—would interpret your decision. If your actions were made public, would you feel proud or embarrassed?
4. Is what I am doing meeting the standards of conduct required? This question ensures that you’re adhering to both industry regulations and your organization’s code of ethics. While business environments can sometimes foster a culture of bending rules to achieve results, you should always strive to act in a way that meets or exceeds the standards set by your industry, company, or governing bodies.
5. In 5 years’ time, would others see this as a good way to work? Think long-term. Ask yourself if your decision stands the test of time. Will others view your actions as an example of ethical behavior, even years down the road? Will it still be seen as the right thing to do? This is about building a legacy of trust and ethical leadership.

Why the Yes Check Works

In my time as a professional Banker, I found the Yes Check to be invaluable. As a financial institution, we were governed by a multitude of regulations and scrutiny. Yet, at times, the pressure to meet financial targets and perform within tight deadlines could blur the lines of what was ethically right and wrong. The Yes Check served as a mechanism to pause, reflect, and re-evaluate any decision before proceeding.

Even if decisions didn’t immediately appear "wrong," running them through the Yes Check often revealed potential problems. This checklist allowed for ambiguity in certain situations—sometimes the right choice wasn’t obvious, and we needed a different perspective to avoid simply following the letter of the law or the financial spreadsheet at the expense of doing what was morally right.

Real-Life Application:

Let’s say you're faced with a situation where you're asked to push a financial product to customers that you know isn't in their best interest. The company might have incentives to sell, but you’re unsure about the ethics.

• Step 1: Does this keep others safe? You might ask yourself whether this product could cause financial harm to a customer, or whether it’s risky in ways that aren’t clearly disclosed. If the answer is no, this is a red flag.
• Step 2: Would customers and colleagues say I acted with integrity? Your conscience is your first guide. If you’re questioning your actions, there’s a high chance they might not align with your values.
• Step 3: Am I happy with how this would be perceived on the outside? Think about the news story headlines. If this decision were to come to light, would you feel proud, or would you try to justify it?
• Step 4: Is this meeting the standards of conduct required? Beyond just meeting the bare minimum, ask yourself if you're upholding the ethical standards of your industry and company. Would you pass an internal audit on this decision?
• Step 5: In five years, would others see this as a good way to work? Would your future self look back and admire the choice you made today? Would colleagues look to you as a role model, or would they view your actions as a temporary fix to a deeper ethical problem?