Article:

The slippery slope: Understanding ethics in management

Written by CMI Insights Wednesday 19 April 2023
Take a deep dive into some tips and tools to help you lead with integrity
A slippery road sign

Contents:

  1. What are ethics anyway?
  2. Why is ethical practice important?
  3. The causes of unethical behaviour – and how to create an ethical organisation
  4. Ethical decision making in four steps
  5. More resources

Being an ethical and inclusive leader is the central pillar of the CMI Professional Standard, underpinning everything that managers and leaders do. Ethics and morals may sound scarily like they belong firmly to the realms of philosophy – but they don’t have to be confusing. This is a guide to applying accountability, integrity and positive moral principles to your practice.

 

I lead by example and hold myself accountable in applying positive moral principles, building trust, demonstrating integrity in my actions and behaviours.

The definition of Leading with integrity in the CMI Professional Standard

 

What are ethics anyway?

All definitions of ethics or ethical behaviour centre around “moral principles” or “moral correctness” – in essence, the principles of right and wrong. 

The quality of having strong moral principles (ie, strong ideas of what is right and wrong) is described as “having integrity”, while having “good” or “strong” ethics implies that you behave honestly, fairly and respectfully.

 

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.”

CS Lewis

Want to learn more about ethics in management?

Login or register below for Free Instant Access

Login

If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article.

Confirm your registration

Login below to confirm your details and access this article.

Forget?

Please confirm that you want to switch off the "Sign in with email" remember me feature.

Register for Free Access

Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox.

You have successfully registered

As a CMI Friend, you now have access to whole range of CMI Friendship benefits.

Please login to the left to confirm your registration and access the article.

Article

Our extensive range of articles are designed to keep you in the loop with all the latest management and leadership best practice, research and news.

Members See More

CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits

Join The Community

CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.