Does it come as a big surprise that a convicted felon—indeed, a white collar criminal—would have developed some thoughts about the topic of ethics? Probably not. Since my conviction I have had plenty of time to ponder the idea of ethics, and I’ve conducted some research on my own about the subject. In doing so, I’ve received tons of advice. I must say, I wish I’d had this information at the beginning of my career.

In 1999 I began serving a 21 month federal prison sentence for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The crime involved four real estate investors submitting fraudulent documentation in order to get approved for residential home loans. I was their loan officer. After the first few transactions, I knew in my heart that some of the documents I accepted were fakes. Over a nine month period I gradually started participating in the profits.

I have been told by some people that my crime was “fraud lite.” Some have said that I was unlucky; wrong place at the wrong time. Well, there is no such thing as fraud lite, and luck has nothing do with making the right decisions. I committed a crime. I am not proud of it and I’m certainly no hero for talking about it now.

However, there is an ethics lesson to be learned in all of this.

Dictionary.com defines ethics as “a set of principles of right conduct.”

My understanding of being ethical was that you base your decision to do or not to do something on the feeling you get in your stomach. If that’s the case, how do you teach “stomach feeling” to someone?

Perhaps this is what led me astray.

In a business’ Code of Ethics, you can’t possibly account for every situation. For every principle of correct conduct; for every “right” way to act in one situation, there is another, different situation that follows, that may require yet a different “right” way to act.

I was traveling in my car with my boys, four and seven years old. In the rear-view mirror I saw the older one punch the younger one on the arm. The young one howled, “aaahhhhhhhhooooooowwwww-auh!” I said, “Hey! Don’t punch your brother.” Immediately, the older one slapped his little brother in the arm. I said, “Don’t slap your brother either.” This was followed by a poke, which I followed with, “don’t poke.” A tickle – “Don’t tickle.” Then just a touch. Finally, I said, “keep your hands to yourself. Period!” The instigator was reduced to leveling a taunting glare at his younger sibling.

This could have gone on for hours. I finally gave them the ol’, “Don’t make me come back there!” (Which of course makes no sense since, I was driving.)

Doesn’t this example prove that there are simply too many variable situations in the real world? Yes, but through my experiences, I have learned that ethics isn’t about situations. It is about people and their behavior.

Ethics doesn’t stand for “what to do.” It stands for “how to behave.” Finally understanding this made ethics less confusing for me.

For employers and leaders, it is imperative that you have a set of principles of right conduct. But to simply disseminate this information in printed format will not be enough. Ethics are best conveyed by example. Additionally, violations of ethical standards must be dealt with and not overlooked, or the unethical behavior will become business as usual.

If you are a member of an organization that adopts a code of ethics, read the printed words and follow the examples of the leadership. Pay attention to the feelings in your stomach. They may not tell you exactly what to do, but it may serve as a red flag. Remember, justifying questionable behavior is nothing more than being dishonest with yourself.

Lead your ethics model by example. Follow your ethics model with honesty.

Take my experiences and words for what they’re worth, coming from a convicted felon. Strive to be honest, diligent, and consistent. Society, your company, your family, and your children need you to stay out of prison.

Jerome Mayne is President and founder of Fraudcon, Inc., a fraud deterrent company. He is the author of the book titled, Life Saving Lessons – the diary of a white collar criminal. As a national keynote speaker and consultant, he has presented to and entertained dozens of trade associations and Fortune 500 companies to keep their people out of prison.

Source: www.articlesbase.com