ETHICAL INTEGRITY: Professional ethics and Integrity

Abstract: Ethical standards exist in every profession. Integrity is a key element of what every
profession considers for appropriate ethical behavior. Integrity typically refers to an individual’s
compliance with his or her own standard principles and values or simply inference to follow your
own moral or ethical convictions. In professional and/or business relationships, integrity is a
much sought after trait. Certainly no professional would hire a coder lacking integrity, just as no
patient would likely choose a physician lacking integrity. Similarly, coders appreciate working
with co-workers and for employers who exhibit integrity. Honesty, truthfulness, honor,
dependability, and trustworthiness are all traits of related to integrity; as upholding a moral
standard of conduct in both professional and personal endeavors accompanied by commitment to
welfare of others. Standards governing professional conduct include knowing how you present
yourself, your work ethic, and how you communicate with others. There is an expectation from
stakeholders that the profession will expect or even demand an ethics-based culture by its
members; based on underlying values of integrity, transparency and expertise. Employers expect
employees to work the hours for which they are being compensated. Employees are not paid to
socialize, surf the Internet, pay bills, update their face book status, etc. An employee with
integrity will provide the level of effort his or her employer is paying for and will self-regulate
work behavior. Employees acting with integrity resist the temptation to engage in non-work-
related activities. An employee with integrity looks beyond his or her own interests and pursues
team-centered goals. This requires polite and professional communication, appropriate
interactions, and respect for the thoughts and opinions of co-workers. When faced with the choice
of acting with integrity, you are often required to choose the harder right rather than the easier
wrong. Your fellow professionals, especially those serving on the ethics committee, as well as
most employers, recognize that no one is perfect. In real terms, this is recognition that absolute
integrity is something we can only strive to achieve. When you recognize lapses in judgment, how
you react will ultimately define your character. In such circumstances, a person with integrity
corrects the situation, learns from it, and accepts any associated penalty. Leaders with integrity
live lives with what they espouse and their examples touches hearts and minds.
It is said by Oprah Winfrey that “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s
goanna know whether you did it or not”.
Keywords: integrity, ethics, trustworthy, gracious, honesty, espouse, socialize, interaction,
profession, team centered goals.