This document discusses the importance of developing a personal ethics statement. It begins with definitions of ethics and explores where personal ethics come into play and how they can affect decision-making. Examples of personal ethics statements are provided. The document encourages developing a statement that reflects one's most important values and can serve as a guide during difficult situations. Developing a statement is a process that involves considering one's values and revising it over time. Scenarios are used to demonstrate how a personal ethics statement can guide handling of workplace issues.

1. TAKING ETHICS PERSONALLY
Kelley Monterusso
January 2016

2. ETHICS
1. A system of moral principles: (the ethics of a culture)
2. The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class
of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: (medical
ethics, business ethics, Christian ethics)
3. Moral principles, as of an individual: (His ethics forbade betrayal of a
confidence.)
4. The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human
conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain
actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and
ends of each action.

3. OUR FOCUS TODAY
3. Moral principles, as of an individual: (His ethics forbade betrayal of
a confidence.)
Moral – relating to or concerned with the principles or rules
of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong;
ethical
Principles – guiding sense of the requirements and
obligations of right conduct
Source: dictionary.com

4. OPEN DISCUSSION
a. Where do we encounter personal ethics?
b. Why are personal ethics important?
c. How can personal ethics affect our professional and personal
lives?
d. How can personal ethics affect decision making?
e. How can personal ethics be helpful in tough situations?

5. PERSONAL ETHICS
STATEMENT
A statement developed by an individual reflecting the
most important personal values and morals used to build
their roadmap for living.
What is the statement meant to do?
 Represent what we strive to be
 Influence our actions and interactions
 Demonstrate how we put our guiding ideals into
practice
 Serve as a support system for decision making
 Be our “Go To” during difficult situations

6. PERSONAL ETHICS
Important to remember:
 Can be very different from person to person
 May change/flex over time (stages of life, significant experiences, etc.)
 Based upon many things (personal goals, upbringing, religion, culture,
education, etc.)

7. EXAMPLE
I will abide by the laws, rules, and regulations of my community, school, work,
and country.
I will conduct myself with integrity, fidelity, and honesty. I will openly take
responsibility for my actions, and only make agreements, which I intend to keep.
I will not intentionally engage in or participate in any form of malicious harm to
another person or animal.
I will remain curious, objective, and open minded about other people’s ideas,
choices, and religious beliefs.
I will practice thoughtful self-control when responding to others.
I will continue to learn, observe, read, connect, listen, and search for knowledge.
I will proactively participate and openly communicate such gained knowledge with
others.
In my personal relationships, I will adhere to all of the above, including
disengaging and/or limiting interaction with those who purposefully contravene
my code of ethics.
In my work relationships, I will adhere to all of the above, while maintaining
professionalism in the face of adversity.
Source: Winde Chavez, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140611015424-
41035293-my-personal-leadership-and-ethics-statement

8. EXAMPLE
As an aspiring journalist, writing about personal ethics is provoking endless thoughts in my mind―what is right,
according to me, and what is wrong? Are my beliefs in accordance to what society thinks and feels? Will my
personal ethics help me go a long way in my career? As I go on thinking and penning down my thoughts, I am
relieved, and proud to say that my list of ethics answers every question in my mind affirmatively.
Excellence
I will always strive to be excellent at everything I do. I will not settle for anything lesser than the best, and will do
everything I can to achieve the best results in all my professional endeavors. I will not procrastinate when it
comes to my work and will deliver the expected results on or before time.
Integrity
As a journalist and person, I will always be sincere and honest in everything I do. I will not bend any facts or
rules just for personal benefit, and will always be dependable, trustworthy and reliable for the organization. I
promise to build my reputation only on the basis of merit, and nothing else.
Courage
With integrity comes courage. I will never hesitate to stand up for what is right, and will do so even if I am in a
difficult situation that demands me to ignore what is wrong. I will always support the truth and never let anyone
influence me to do otherwise. I will not give in to peer pressure and will never let the fear of failing affect my
actions.
Humility
I will always strive to remain humble and grounded. I will not let any accolades or praise affect my attitude, and
will always be polite to my peers, superiors and juniors. I will make sure to never hurt or mock anyone
intentionally.
I would like to conclude by saying that it is the responsibility of every journalist to abide by ethics that will
benefit not only themselves, but also their working environment, and society as a whole, and my list of personal
ethics will definitely help me fulfill this responsibility.
Source: Buzzle, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-write-a-personal-ethics-statement-with-
examples.html

9. EXAMPLE
As a result of my background, I place a special emphasis on
maintenance of personal integrity, pursuit of excellence, acceptance of
responsibility, love of family and achievement of ambitious goals. I
have high expectations for myself with regards to my actions; on at
least a weekly basis, I take time to reflect on who I am and how that
compares to my best possible self. My actions make me who I am, so it
is important that I honor the following commitments in all of my
actions, both personal and professional (Georgetown University, n.d.):
 A commitment to doing in my heart what I know is just and right.
 A commitment to performance that produces exceptional results
and quality as a way of life.
 A commitment to valuing the trust and confidence of my family,
friends, co-workers, employers and/or clients and community.
 A commitment to spending time with my family, supporting them in
all of their endeavors and making them proud.
 A commitment to my personal image of what can be and my belief
that it will be; a commitment to setting goals and systematically
working towards achieving them.
Source:
https://consciousincompetence.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/my-
personal-code-of-ethics/

10. BUILDING YOUR
STATEMENT
 Decide on the values and morals that are most important to
you (handouts)
 Decide on a format (next slide)
 Work on your statement over time…tweak along the way
 Consider sharing it with others for feedback
 Keep it somewhere visible/handy

11. GOOD PLACE TO START
 “I will…”
 “I commit to…”
 “You can expect…”
 “My actions…”

12. WORKING SESSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TvWZEVf6
go

13. RATIONALIZATION
FILTER
Does your personal ethics statement leave room for any of
the following?
 “Everybody does it.”
 “Nobody will notice.”
 “I don’t get paid enough to deal with that.”
 “It will take too much time to do it right.”
 “Just this one time.”
 “It’s not like I’m hurting anyone.”
 “I’m not a whistleblower.”
 “I’m too close to retirement.”
 “I’m minding my own business.”

14. PUTTING YOUR
STATEMENT TO WORK
 Review the goal
 Consider your options
 Determine the consequences of each option
 Make the right decision
 Are you being objective?
(not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based
upon facts)
 Are you setting an example for others?
 Are you avoiding going with the “wrong” flow?
 Do you hope others would make the same decision?

15. SCENARIOS
You are experiencing personal problems at home. Despite your
best efforts, the quality of your work is suffering and coworkers
are starting to notice.
Using your personal ethics statement as a guide, how do you
handle this situation with your supervisor, coworkers and
customers?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

16. SCENARIOS
You and two coworkers are assigned an important project due
to your supervisor at the end of the month. As a team, the
three of you decide on the distribution of work and agree to
meet every Wednesday and Friday morning for the next three
weeks to report on progress.
A few days later, one of your team members indicates they are
too busy to attend the meetings due to workload but will get
the work done by the deadline.
Using your personal ethics statement as a guide, how do you
handle this situation?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

17. SCENARIOS
A coworker shares details with you about a confidential
decision recently made by management. Your coworker won’t
divulge their source but tells you why the decision was made,
who was involved in the decision, and what the decision means
for your team. If true, it will impact every member of your
team in a significant way.
Using your personal ethics statement as a guide, how do you
handle this situation?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

18. WHY BOTHER WITH
PERSONAL ETHICS?
Strong personal ethics typically translate into worthwhile benefits:
 Trusted relationships at home and work
 Valued contributions at home and work
 Positive attention from employers, family and friends
 Peace of mind, better overall health, emotional stability & lasting
relationships
Can you think of more benefits?

19. TAKING ETHICS
PERSONALLY
Thank you for attending this workshop!
Kelley Monterusso
Director of Communications & External Relations
Kirkhof College of Nursing – Grand Valley State University
616.331.5882
monteruk@gvsu.edu