In the June 2023 Newsletter
  Do the Right Thing / News / Events

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Do the Right Thing

When growing up did your parents tell you to do the right thing? Now at work, does your boss tell you and your co-workers to do the right thing? In your personal life, do your friends and family offer the same advice? Unfortunately, we too often hear about the wrong thing. It could be someone lying, cheating, or breaking the law. It could involve a ‘bad actor’ violating an organization’s cybersecurity. The news media give us innumerable examples daily. Isn’t it better to treat others as you would have them treat you? Follow the Golden Rule. Behave ethically. But how?

What is Ethics?

Ethics examines the rational justification for our moral judgments; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust. Ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.

How Do You Know What is Right and What is Wrong?

There’s no absolute right or wrong. Yet there are a few approaches to help determine right from wrong.

1. USE YOUR CONSCIENCE. Some would say that we know the ethical value of right and wrong by listening to our conscience. That still, small voice inside is what tells us whether something is right or wrong. That small voice is what some people call the universe or God or the inner, wiser, older self. However, some people suggest that this approach is faulty, questioning where one’s conscience would get such information on right versus wrong.

2. USE THE FOUR-WAY TEST. Rotary International has developed the Four-Way Test as means to know how to do the right thing. It provides a simple checklist for ethical behavior, relating to what we think, say, and do.

	Is it the TRUTH?
	Is it FAIR to all concerned?
	Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
	Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Known world-wide, this test is useful because it provides a practical means for doing the right thing. I carry around a special Rotary coin with these words. As a Rotarian, I have gone with others into middle and high schools to teach this test and allow students to use it as they consider how to behave in ethically challenging situations.

3. CODE OF ETHICS. Many professional organizations have developed a set of ethical rules of conduct. For example, as a Certified Management Consultant® with the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), I pledge to follow their code of ethics, part of which states “to serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, using a professional approach at all times.” IMC USA takes the commitment of ethical business practices so seriously that every member is required to pledge in writing to abide by its Code of Ethics.

My Story

As a young adult, I traveled alone to Europe for the first time. I had just bought a new camera to capture all the sights. The first day in the busy London train station, I put it down as I consulted the Visitor Information Center. Twelve hours later, as I was about to go to bed at the hostel, I suddenly sat up. Where was my camera? When was the last time I had seen it? I thought back to the train station. After a fitful night with little sleep, I woke early and caught the first train back to the London station to be there as the information center opened. Relief! My camera had been turned into lost and found. Someone did the right thing. I was very thankful. Perhaps you also have had the benefit of a good person doing the right thing.

Just recently during a business trip, I lost something important in the airport as I attempted to reschedule a cancelled flight. Unfortunately, it was not found and returned. Was it not found at all? Was it found by someone who did the wrong thing?

I remember interviewing Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, for my Pursuit of Passionate Purpose research and book. A highly ethical person, he stressed that you would know the right thing to do by asking yourself, “Would I want to read a story on the front page of the New York Times of me doing this? If not, don’t do it.”

Practical Pointers for Doing the Right Thing

	DEFINE YOUR CORE VALUES. Be clear on what you stand for. Let others know what those values are.
	LEARN THE FOUR-WAY TEST. Use it as a tool to help you discern what is right. Use it as a discussion topic at a family dinner.
	DEVELOP YOUR OWN CODE OF ETHICS. Build on examples of others, such as professionals in credible organizations. Live by this code.
	SURROUND YOURSELF with people who share your core values and solid ethics.
	AS A LEADER, make it easy for your people to do the right thing. It’s your responsibility to provide the rules and structure so people know what to do and what not to do.

Summary

At all times, follow your Conscience. Use The Four-Way Test and your Code of Ethics to do the right thing. As a manager of people, make it easy for them to do the right thing.

My News

New Opportunity. I have joined Government Sourcing Solutions as a part-time Managing Director. At no charge, we help governments and schools better meet their objectives through improved procurement. This role helps me use my public sector (as former CIO of the State of Colorado) and private sector (3x tech entrepreneur) experience to bring best practices and best-in-breed solutions to governments. Let me know if you’d like to learn more. I also continue my work as co-founder of Radish Systems, Certified Management Consultant, and director on corporate boards.

50 Women to Watch for Boards. I am so honored to be selected as one of 50 women to watch by 50/50 Women on Boards. This organization strives to have 50% of public board seats held by women by 2050. Think of me as a tech and cybersecurity-savvy director when you need an independent director on corporate boards.

NACD.DC. Did you know that corporate board members can be certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors? I am pleased to have earned this certification. It helps me ‘do the right thing’ when I serve as a corporate director.

Selected Events

June 27-29, 2023. Theresa is at the National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) Midwest-South regional conference in Chicago. Let me know if you want to meet.

August 20-23, 2023. Theresa is at the Institute of Public Procurement (NIGP) conference in Louisville, KY. Let me know if you want to meet.

August 27-30, 2023. Theresa is at the NASTD annual conference in Boston, MA. Let me know if you want to meet.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
C-Level Executive, Corporate Director, Consultant, and Colorado CIO of the Year

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