If you do the right thing, are you doing the ethical thing? Is the right behavior, or response, always the ethical response? Think about it ….
I was watching a rerun of Frasier when Frasier and his dad, Martin, had a conversation about a testimony Frasier had to provide in Niles’ divorce. The question that was causing this debate was along the lines of Niles’ being in love with someone else while he was still married to Maris.
If you’ve watched the show, you know that Niles has been in love with Daphne since she began as his dad’s physical therapist. She was unaware of his strong feelings for her, and he didn’t want her to find out by a court stenographer.
Martin posed this scenario to Frasier: Years ago when Martin was active as a cop, he witnessed a burglar murder an innocent person. Martin was reading the burglar-murderer his rights while putting the cuffs on him. They got interrupted and Martin never completed reading the burglar-murderer his rights. When questioned on the witness stand, “Did you read him his rights in full?” Martin answered “yes”. Otherwise, the burglar-murderer would walk. He did it because it was the right thing do to.
When confronted with a situation that has several options, do you choose the right thing, even if it’s not ethical? Are you looking at the greater good or the bigger picture, or are you adhering steadfast to the rules?
Are you looking at how your actions will affect others? Or are you focused inwardly towards yourself?
Emotional intelligence skills can help you when you explain your decision to others — and can help you adjust your behaviors to accommodate the actions or reactions from others.
