Regular Integrity
Defining the concept of a moral compass is a challenging task. The complexity of the choice is predetermined by a variety of factors, the cultural ones being the most crucial. According to the concept of moral dimensions, the context of a particular dilemma often predetermines the choices that have to be made to address it (Thompson 30). Therefore, a moral compass can be identified as the array of ethical principles tied together with a specific philosophy that serves as the foundation for one’s decision-making and life choices. I believe that my integrity is based on the principles of virtue ethics.
The idea of fostering certain ethical concepts in people as the foundation for their further progress was inspired by how I was brought up. My parents have always emphasized the significance of being kind to others, which is why I follow the concept of virtue ethics nowadays.
Moral Vision
My vision of a good life includes peace among people and the use of the policy of tolerance as the means of communication and negotiation in the multicultural environment of the 21st century. The concept of personal integrity should, therefore, be linked to the phenomenon of social consciousness. The latter should inform one’s integrity although it does not necessarily have to define it. The moral vision described above is anchored by the value of human life and people’s freedoms and was inspired by a range of works of art and numerous pieces of cultural heritage.
Particularly, the concept of freedom and multiculturalism was prompted by the song titled Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is considered the anthem to freedom and liberty, in general, and racial equality, in particular. The Wisdom Tradition, which states that there is an inner core in any religious tradition, is incorporated into my philosophy as well, serving as the element that defines my spirituality.
Moral Code
My moral code, which states that I should treat people exactly the way that I would like them to treat me, aligns with my moral vision perfectly. It is based on the concept of mutual respect among the members of any society and the representatives of different cultures, encouraging polite cross-cultural communication based on the idea of a compromise and tolerance (Thompson 63). The specified idea, though planted by my parents, was finally developed into a strong philosophical stance as I started communicating with people coming from different backgrounds, first at school, and then as I started taking up different jobs.
The moral code, however, does not exclude the possibility of a conflict. Instead, it points to the fact that conflict is inevitable and, therefore, should be used as the means of improving multicultural relationships. The Wisdom tradition, in its turn, provides premises for developing humility and patience required to avoid aggressive confrontations and approach the communication process form an objective viewpoint.
Moral Fitness
From a legal perspective, which has a specific definition of moral fitness, I can be characterized in a rather positive manner. According to the current interpretations of the subject matter, moral fitness implies an absence of any unhealthy habits such as drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, use of foul language, and the relationships that are not condoned by the contemporary society (i.e., adultery). The practice of revisiting traditional values and having spiritual experiences helps me build a personal character by creating a positive image of myself that I must comply with, therefore, permitted to retain my integrity. The concept of Moral Wisdom affects my moral code directly, shaping the standards of behavior that I need to follow (Thompson 13).
Defining Moment
I must admit, though, that there were some points in my life when I was about to sacrifice my moral integrity for the sake of personal gain. In most cases, these were career-related choices. For instance, when one of my colleagues asked me to cover for them after they made a mistake that affected the business, I faced a very complicated ethical dilemma. Though seemingly minor, this event redefined my idea of workplace integrity, moral dimensions, and partnership since I thought that I had to choose between being friends with this person and being honest about my professional life. The Wisdom Tradition, in its turn, showed me that I had to seek the inner core defined by ethical choices.
My Future as a Business Leader
As a future business leader, I will consider the human value to be the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial philosophy. The importance of clarity between the members of the company, honesty, and integrity will be the foundation of my firm.
Social Conscience
When building social conscience, one must realize that some participants may be unwilling to accept the values that the system above suggests them to. Therefore, convincing people to assume new ethical principles is going to be the greatest challenge (Thompson 17). However, building a network of shared values also invites an opportunity to create a team that will become extraordinarily efficient and grows both personally and professionally.
Conscientious Leadership
Similarly to ethical values, the principles of shared responsibility are unlikely to appeal to the target denizens of the population immediately. There is a threat that some people may mimic the required behavioral patterns without a proper understanding of what they are supposed to accomplish. As a result, they will jeopardize not only the success of the team’s performance but also the integrity of the people involved.
Conscientious Commerce
When creating wealth for human flourishing, one must be aware of the fact that people are likely to take new ideas with a grain of salt. Therefore, it is expected that the people promoting change to the target members of the population will receive a cold shoulder from the public. However, the recent technological innovations provide a plethora of opportunities to get the message across to people without shaving it distorted by the opponents (Thompson 76).
Civic Conscience
Building the society in which the above principles will guide people’s choices will demand commitment from all members involved, which may be quite a challenge. Although people may be willing to support the idea, it will be necessary to motivate them to make a difference in society. However, along with the threat of failing to prompt enthusiasm in people, there is also an opportunity to challenge the contemporary concepts of social justice. As a result, the prerequisites for building a better society can be created.
Summary
Being a business leader implies making complicated ethical choices regularly; therefore, it is imperative to design an elaborate moral compass system that will guide one through the difficult process of decision-making and help make the right choices. As long as the philosophical framework of a leader’s strategy is based on human values, positive outcomes are expected. While ridding the workplace environment of conflicts is impossible, there is a chance of reducing the probability of a conflict to a minimum, at the same time learning from the ethical choices that need to be made.
Works Cited
Thompson, Lindsay J. The Moral Compass: Leadership for a Free World. New York, NY: Leadership Ethics Course, 2005. Print.