Personal Values and Ethical Foundations

Personal Values and Ethical Foundations How does one's personal, organizational and cultural values affect decision-making in one's personal and professional life? Can a correlation be made to support this conceptually? Can specific interactions reflect the perspectives identified? These are all questions that lead to the formulation of personal values and setting an ethical foundation in a person's life. People today in and outside of businesses are fairly liberal in choosing what they will and what they will not believe in. Once a particular concept of a value gets engrained in their belief system, it will stick with them. The principal rule of that value will follow those persons throughout their lives. It will come out in many ways, in many responses and in many interactions. It will impact their ability to make decisions as well as the very decisions themselves (Schneider, 2001,34). The confidence and security of their decisions are weighed in the balances. When I was growing up, my father was very much the dominant figure in our household. He was very adamant about what things my mother could and could not do. For example, in the area of work, "A woman's place is in the home," he used to say. So my mother cooked, cleaned and focused on taking care of us. She always showed respect to my father and was willing to channel her desire to work in assisting others whenever necessary. Well, I didn't grow up to be a housewife like my mother, but I believe in giving respect to men (and women) and I will do whatever I can for anyone that requests my assistance. Just as my mother, I have learned how to effectively become multi-tasked and have a "servant's attitude." My belief is that the world was divinely framed and strategically designed from the very beginning with a purpose. Within that purpose, we were given the power of choice with independent critical thinking skills when we were created to be a part of it.

References: Ahmed, M., Chung, K., Eichenseher, J. (2003). Business students ' perception of ethics and moral judgment: A cross-cultural study. Journal Of Business Ethics, 43, 89-102. Fotis, G. (Dec. 1996). Interactive Personal Ethics. Management Review, Vol. 85, Issue 12, 46. Schneider, D. (2001). Making effective and Ethical Decisions. Interpersonal Skills in Organizations, IV, 371-393.