Are you ethical? In your life? In your business? Do you know what "ethical" means?

We can get all fancy with the dictionary or encyclopedia definitions, but if we boil it down to the core, it's easy to remember. In a nutshell, being ethical is doing the right thing.

Sounds simple, right? So how come so many people don't?

Has anyone ever taken credit, at work, for your idea? Have you ever taken a ream of paper from work, for use at home? Do you talk, long distance, to your out-of-state sister? Those are all examples of "questionable" ethics.

In reality, many people do the "little white lie" or call in sick, when they're actually going to a concert. Many people take more break time than they are officially allowed. Many people doing it does not make it right. Do you disagree?

Here are some examples. Many people swindle people out of their money, in the name of business. Many people gossip about, backstab, undermine each other at work. Many people tell bigoted jokes, think racist thoughts, speak sexist words, and are openly intolerant. Many people fleece each other in get-rich-quick schemes, like I wrote about in Don't Get Scammed by an Infomercial. Many people doing it, does not make it right.

Only YOU are in control of your integrity. Only you control your ethics, whether in business or in life. People, including bosses, can take a lot away from you, but integrity is something that you can only lose by choice.

How easily can you be compromised? How little would it take for you to behave unethically? How would you feel if another were unethical towards you? I'm sure you've experienced that, at least once in your life.

The basis of unethical behavior is really selfishness. Feeling like one's own wants and needs are more important than another's. And then the excuse of "it's only," is the justification. Think about it. Really digest some of the unethical experiences you've either created or been victimized by, what was the basis of it?

"My profit is more important than your well-being."

"It's only a pack of pens."

"It's only one time. Besides, I'm her superior."

"I need to smoke more than they need me to work."

"I stole her identity because I wanted to live large without getting a job."

"It's only my job. I was just doing my job. The boss told me to let her go because of her skin color."

When you enter a job, a business agreement, a relationship, you are entering into an agreement with the other party or parties. They agree to pay you, or provide something in exchange for you providing something else. On both sides of the agreement, we desire the other party to act ethically. We also need to commit, every day, every hour, to being ethical in our own right.

I'm not trying to preach. I've had my own weak moments, I've also been the victim on occasion. The point I'm trying to make here, is that we are all accountable for our own actions. We are all responsible for how we act. And maybe if we all committed to acting ethically in our lives & in our businesses, we'd have happier spouses, happier kids, happier clients, and be happier ourselves.

When you're put in a situation of ethics or questionable integrity, ask yourself, "How would I feel if this was done to me or someone I love?" "How would I feel if I got caught?" Chances are, the answers to those two questions will be able to guide you down the path of ethical integrity.