PwC focus on leadership and ethics
The truth be told: One manifestation of what is going wrong
It should not take something so unbelievable as the COVID-19 pandemic for an individual’s integrity to be brought into question. While we would think that integrity should be even more pertinent now, the crises has worsened for some – especially in how we are expected to adhere to our values, principles, norms and general work ethos.
Never in our lives could we have expected an event of such a magnitude to take place. While we navigate through the current uncertainty on a personal level, our work demands have also required us to consider new challenges and to adapt to these uncertainties and changing work circumstances. It has been an unsettling time, yet I am sure we have all learnt something in the process - namely that the one thing that should remain intact is that of integrity.
Unfortunately for some, this has not been the case. Personal-behaviour and workplace-behaviour have brought new risks to the fore. The media has flooded us with stories of corruption and fraud committed by numerous individuals, and we have also been inundated with news around organisational deceit that continues to shock many. We would like to think that it should be a realisation that when any risk emerges, adjusting to a ‘new reality’ should naturally be led by integrity which unfortunately seems not to be the case in all instances. If some choose not to display integrity in a normal working world, what are the chances that this will emerge in a newly defined world?
The current uncertainty has seen a spike in dishonesty and social division across all sectors of society, and in some instances even aggravated these issues. Consequently, many have lost a sense of wholeness, unity and togetherness. I have also come to realise that integrity in general, even before the COVID-19 crisis occurred, is something that needs to be addressed in society at both a macro and micro level. While there is a lot of information around change and adopting to the new ‘norm’ in business, I found myself thrown into disarray still to find a way or meaning on how to maintain integrity through it all. It’s a possibility that due to integrity being a personal choice many do not believe or think it important enough to change for the better.
I often found myself asking whether survival in such difficult times can change our moral compass. The answer could be, yes, - for some it may always be difficult to maintain one’s sense of morality . I certainly don’t have a quick-fix solution and possibly no one else has. A lot has to do with our own social make-up and upbringing together with our principles and values. Even though I would like to see new levels of trust and integrity being demonstrated in the face of uncertainty, especially when we are pushed far beyond what some can comprehend, I am saddened to think if it’s even possible .To remain hopeful is at least one way to be optimistic and positive. By the same token, businesses should also consider fostering ethical practices and behavior to protect the organisation and its employees across the board.
I reflect on an article recently written by Megan de Chalain titled ’Navigating through this new world: Insights from a gamified assessment’ that highlights work culture and how the COVID-19 pandemic possibly is going to or has already shaped a new shift in organisations, with our work set up rapidly moving to online or remote-working. Rightfully so, this will create a new dynamic and we will need to assess the competencies this will bring about. I suggest we consider bringing in a greater level of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, honour, and veracity to cooperate under these new working conditions – these will certainly uphold a company’s new ideals. While ongoing advancements are always needed in organisations to keep up with world changes, so should our integrity mature. Integrity is our choice - it’s our responsibility which should ultimately become a habit. Just as the world has changed and our choices, so too can our integrity to create a more fulfilled and responsible world. If one struggles to rationalise vast worldly changes, then it may add pressure or an attitude for us to deviate from what is right.
I know that this is a controversial debate and understand measuring integrity from a psychometric approach is not proof enough to ensure that no deviance takes place when individuals are faced with harsh circumstances. However, it is worth a start today to create a culture of greater integrity and instill effective risk-combating structures.
Some suggestions for business leaders are to engage with their respective HR department or the assessment team to enquire if there are adequate assessment measures in place that can help to identify counterproductive work behavior that is causing major losses each year in countries all over the world. Through prediction or control measures as seeking to put integrity, accountability and transparency as part of a new competency framework should become imperative going forward. Such measures include validated assessment solutions that have been designed with the specific aim of identifying a range of negative behaviours that can cause harm to both employees and organisations. It is also a positive way to rebuild our work competencies to include future continuity and not to be caught off guard in situations of any sort of deviance be it production deviance, work property deviance, political deviance and/or personal deviance.
We need to forge forward to demonstrate our leadership integrity in these unchartered waters. Some more than others will need to consider this seriously. The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles must be applied consistently even when we shift from a world under ‘normal’ conditions to a world that has had to change and adapt to the new norm going forward. To conclude I leave you with this quote: “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they done have the first, the other two will kill you” -Warren Buffett.
