Promoting an ethical culture is a key leadership responsibility.  Equity, transparency, honor, integrity, commitment, and stewardship are standards for excellence in democratic local governance as much in a corporate setting. Every organisation and community deserves an organizational culture based on ethical values and behavior. To accomplish this requires a top down and bottom up approach. Managers need to understand the company culture, paying particular attention to incentivising positive behaviors that support ethical conduct, as well as facilitating employees’ decision-making processes to diminish unethical violations.

Company leaders can deliver continuous education and virtual training to address both and minimise costly interventions and mediations. RNIA CBOK is designed to enable staff in keeping promises and commitments within a set of simple values. The education  training activity focuses on:

accountability for decisions and actions

the value of honest feedback

consistent and appropriate behaviour in a collaborative spirit

The value of setting a good example is communicated across the culture and the consequences of inconsistent delivery reflected in peer feedback. Adhering to ethics allows for all viewpoints to be heard respectfully, transparent decision-making and emphasizes the benefits of open and honest communication.How can we trust restored and what efforts in building relationships to ensure a culture of values is instilled and installed?

Can you really imagine a scenario where you are supported to be a ‘whistleblower’ by staying true to your core values? ICMA TV promotes ethical conduct through its Code of Ethics training for local governments, as well as publications on ethics issues, technical assistance, and advice to members. Given the state of politics, the more proactive ICMA is, the better things can become and begin to reclaim the trust of the people. But how can you affect the same in your enterprise?