On ethics and stewardship

The Rotary Club Four-Way Test

“Of the things we think, say or do:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

When I was a kid, I frequently see this four-way test engraved on bridges around my hometown. I never minded it as much but I remember reflecting on my actions whenever I stumble upon it. Looking back on it now, I realize that even then I had already been subconsciously weighing my actions based on my internal distinction of what’s right from what’s wrong.

Testing our ethics

Every day, we are faced with different situations that test our ethics. In the workplace, from small things like taking home office supplies for personal use to large scale things like reversing the company’s financials to make the numbers appear favorable.

What makes the issue of business ethics complicated is that those who are implicated for unethical behavior in an organization claim often times that they are not bad people. How can one who thinks of himself as good if he engages in bad behavior? Is it just human nature? That given the opportunity and motivation, people are ready to cut throats for money and power.

Doing what is right

Of course that is not new. In the news there is always a piece about greed and corruption in all levels of society. It is disheartening but it should not make us cynical on how we view our world. We may not be able to control what is happening around us, but it is important that in our own ways, we strive to do what is right.

I would like to believe that people are born inherently good. How we turn out to be as we grow is a combination of our environment and experiences. As a future leader, I have to ensure that I will lead by example and influence others to do the same.

Legacy for future generations

One way to encourage others to live with integrity is by instilling that they have a legacy to leave for the future generation as this can influence their moral awareness. Thinking about what kind of future I want the next generation to have heightens my ethical concern and intensifies my moral emotions.

In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, he emphasized that instead of having a polarized view of capitalism and technology, we should be united to care about what we have in common—Earth, our home. Before we all get greedy in wanting to have a piece of everything, we should be reminded that the earth’s resources are finite.

Recovering the values

The misdirected notion of dominion over our environment has caused a dismissive attitude towards nature and human life itself. As Pope Francis put it honestly and accurately, “Nobody is suggesting a return to the Stone Age, but we do  need  to  slow down and look at reality in a different way, to appropriate the positive and sustainable progress which has been  made, but  also  to  recover the values and  the great goals swept away by our unrestrained delusions of grandeur.” 

I don’t want the future generation to inherit a world incapable of sustaining them. I want them to see the beauty of it so they will constantly be reminded that we are all stewards of the earth. More than this macro view of how I picture my legacy should be, I will in my everyday life, seek to be a morally compassionate person grounded on virtues.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal she kept in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics.  Visit her blog at https://mfmunsayac.wordpress.com/.

The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.