Integrity in a busy world

Have you noticed that many people seem to forget they have a choice between what is "right" and what is "expedient" in their busy lives?

It is often much easier to make decisions based on short term gain rather than considering the impact over time of every decision made. Of course, there is often no problem with this - that building business and dealing with others is clean and honest. But do you sometimes compromise your values and forget or let slide your usual attitudes to ethics, professional etiquette, respect, integrity and morality?

What would you say if your children behaved towards their peers in the way that you behave in your business? Do you demonstrate what you want them to emulate?

I believe that most people justify what they do, that they make it OK to do everything they choose. Whether it is stepping up and taking responsibility openly or managing to self-talk themselves through decisions and actions that would in other situations be abhorrent for them seems to be a moot point.

It would be glib to suggest that we can all do better and that we should - but perhaps the bigger question is what do we do to hold our ground in face of the onslaught?

I think we need to be very clear about how we want to be remembered - and then every choice and decision we make can be a step towards that.