Values and Ethics

What is it about values and ethics that play such an important role in career success? Career success is driven by hard work and determination; however, values and ethics contribute to a harmonious work team. When a professional organization has proper values they set the tone for higher levels of self-esteem by catering to employee’s needs and acting in their best interests (Korman, 1970). Ethics in a professional setting can be mainly described as having respect for others and their actions. In Webster’s ethics is defined as, "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation." (Unabridged, 1961.) Professional team members who are instilled great confidence, morals, and ethics will lead an organization to success (McAllister, 2002). The importance of values and ethics in the professional work place is imperative; it builds up the organization from within its employees.

In determining the source of our professional values and ethics, most people will determine that family, religion and culture are three most popular. As Rowland D. (2004) notes that society is a human product, but it is also an objective reality. Humans are a product of that social reality. In other words, humans not only construct and produce a social world, but we are also shaped and produced by what we and others have produced (pg. 9).

Family is the foundation which determines our values and ethics. Our parents teach us what they learned from their parents; it influences our emotions, way of thinking, and our actions. As we grow we develop of sense of wrong and right, learn boundaries, accept authority, and learn to associate work with others.

Religion is one of the most influential sources that affect values and ethics. Its teaching revolves around honesty, kindness, fairness, unselfishness, and not causing harm to others; followers are taught to apply teaching in their personal and professional lives. Most religion practice the Golden...