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How To Become A Better Person At Work and At Home

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(StatePoint) The world is full of ethical dilemmas: moments when people have the opportunity to make split-second decisions to do the right thing. But if recent news is any indicator, many make the wrong choices.

Hardly a month goes by without another story about an executive, sports figure or ordinary mom or dad behaving unethically and even criminally.

But how tough is it to become prouder of the person in the mirror? Knowing the basic difference between right and wrong isn't enough.

"All too often, there are factors that distort our perception of right and wrong, so we actually believe unethical behavior is normal and appropriate," says clini-cal psychologist Robert Hoyk, the author of the new book, "The Ethical Executive," which examines the causes of unethical behavior and the psychological traps we need to avoid.

"One look at the Wall Street crisis and the scandalous behavior of leading politicians leaves little doubt we need more respons sible behavior.from our leaders," he adds.

Recognize the Traps

In our everyday lives, especially at work, there are many psychological traps into which we risk falling. We are susceptible to them due to such psychological issues as low self-esteem, guilt and competition. By identifying many of these traps beforehand, maintaining ethical behavior gets easier.

For example, just because your boss or an authority figure orders you to do something, doesn't make it right. Blind obedience to authority can lead you down unethical paths, say experts. And just because those around you do something, doesn't mean you should.

"The vast majority of people care about ethics, but are vulnerable to traps. Good intentions aren't enough to avoid these pitfalls. You need to be aware of things that distort our perception of right and wrong," says Hoyk, whose new book outlines 45 traps that await us daily. For more information, visit www.theethicalexecutive.com.

And how we handle situations at work dictates our behavior at home and vice versa.

Take the Time

Our work and home lives are built on foundations of human relationships. Taking a moment to offer an encouraging word to a co-worker can motivate and provide the same positive energy as telling family members you love them.

Volunteer Your Time

Offer some of your personal or business resources for those less fortunate. Aside from helping others, volunteering time or money provides opportunities to integrate your family, friends and co-workers into activities that help establish strong patterns of ethical behavior.

Becoming a better person is about being better aware of both ethics and psychology -- those cues in our daily lives and within ourselves that drive our actions.

"Ethics need to be integrated with psychology," stresses Hoyk, who is donating 15 percent of the proceeds of his book to Health Span International Foundation. "Ethics tells us what we should be doing and psychology can help us stop immoral behavior and motivate us to do the right things."



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© 2010 The Prairie Post White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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