Doing the Right Thing
Integrity is reflected in the choices we make every day. Some decisions are straightforward, while others require careful thought, especially when no one is watching. At the Morgan County Probate Office, ethical decision-making ensures that work is handled fairly and honestly. The community places its trust in this office to manage important matters with accuracy and care. That trust is upheld through small, consistent actions: double-checking information, communicating honestly, and following procedures the right way, not just the easy way.
Self-Assessment: Doing the Right Thing
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for growth in your leadership and daily life?
Do I make decisions based on what is right rather than what is easiest or most convenient?
Am I honest and transparent in my communication with coworkers and the public?
When I make a mistake, do I take responsibility and work to correct it?
Do I treat everyone with fairness and respect, regardless of personal feelings or background?
Would I be comfortable if my actions or decisions were made public?
Do I speak up when I see something unethical happening, even if it is uncomfortable?
Am I willing to ask questions or seek guidance when I am unsure about the right course of action?
Do I help create an environment where ethical concerns can be raised without fear of judgment or retaliation?
There are no right or wrong answers. This is a chance to think about how integrity influences your work and identify areas where you can grow.
“An ethical leader is someone who lives and dies for integrity. The ethical leader’s mantra is doing the right thing, even when it hurts.”
Ethical decision-making is not just about knowing right from wrong. Many ethical mistakes start small, like ignoring a minor error or staying silent about misleading information. It is easy to be honest when there is no pressure. The challenge comes when doing the right thing requires extra work, slows a process, or leads to uncomfortable conversations.
These moments define integrity. It is not just about knowing what is right. It is about following through, even when no one else would notice. Ethical dilemmas often bring internal pressure. People may worry about judgment, feel rushed, or hesitate to speak up. Integrity means recognizing these pressures and making the right choice anyway.
Small actions add up. Over time, they create a workplace where trust is strong because people know they can rely on each other to be honest and fair.
Maintaining an ethical workplace starts with individual choices. Respect is key, and it applies to both coworkers and the public. Treating people fairly, listening to concerns without judgment, and following policies consistently all contribute to a culture of trust. When ethical concerns arise, employees should feel confident that they can speak up without fear of retaliation or dismissal.
Setting an example through everyday actions is one of the strongest ways to promote integrity. Being truthful in communication, admitting mistakes, and taking responsibility for decisions create an environment where doing the right thing is the expectation, not the exception.
Ethical challenges do not always come with easy answers. When faced with a tough call, it helps to ask: Am I acting fairly? Would I be comfortable if this decision were public? Is this choice in line with the values of the office? Thinking through these questions can clarify the right course of action, even in difficult situations.
“The glue that holds all relationships together—including the relationship between the leader and the led—is trust, and trust is based on integrity.”
A Wicked Dilemma
During a busy afternoon, an employee named Elphaba is finalizing reports when she notices that Glenda, who is rushing to finish her own work, has copied information from an older file instead of verifying the details. The mistake is not obvious, and it is unlikely anyone will catch it right away, but Elphaba knows the information is outdated and could cause confusion later.
Glenda has already moved on to another task, and Elphaba is behind on her own work. She wonders whether she should say something now or just let it go, assuming it will be corrected eventually.
What should Elphaba do in this situation?
How can she approach the issue in a way that encourages accountability without being confrontational?
What could be the consequences of saying nothing?
If Elphaba is unsure of what to do, who could she ask for guidance?
Thinking through situations like these reinforces the importance of ethical decision-making. The right choice is not always the easiest, but it is always worth making!
When faced with a difficult decision, taking a moment to think through the situation can prevent bigger problems later. Here are some best practices to reflect on, so you can approach ethical decisions with confidence:
Pause and think about the broader impact. Ethical decisions often benefit from careful thought. When unsure about the right course of action, take a step back and think through the consequences. A rushed decision can lead to unintended harm, but a thoughtful approach ensures fairness and accuracy.
Use the "Three-Step Integrity Check":
Pause & Think: What are the possible outcomes of this decision?
Seek Guidance: Who can help clarify the right course of action?
Consider Transparency: Would I be comfortable if this decision were made public?
Ask questions instead of making assumptions. Ethical missteps often happen when people assume they have all the information. If something does not seem right, seek clarification before taking action. Checking details or verifying facts can prevent unnecessary mistakes.
Hold yourself accountable, even when no one is looking. If an error is discovered, take responsibility and correct it rather than hoping it goes unnoticed. Others will respect honesty more than avoidance.
Recognize when to report ethical concerns. Some situations require more than personal judgment. If an issue affects fairness, legal compliance, or the trust others have in the office, bringing it to the appropriate person ensures it is handled correctly. Reporting a concern is about protecting the integrity of the work, not getting someone in trouble.
Consider how your decisions affect others. Ethics is not just about following policies; it is about treating people fairly. Whether interacting with coworkers or the public, taking an extra moment to ensure that information is accurate, instructions are clear, and concerns are acknowledged makes a difference in building a trustworthy environment.
Ethical decision-making is not about perfection; it is about mindful choices, responsibility, and upholding the office’s values. Over time, these small moments shape a workplace where integrity becomes the standard.
At the Morgan County Probate Office, we build trust through consistent actions. Every time an employee provides accurate information, follows correct procedures, or addresses concerns openly, it strengthens confidence in the office. Integrity is reflected in the small details: the way tasks are handled, how people treat each other, and the willingness to do the right thing no matter what.
Trust is not just about how we interact with others; it also depends on how well we stay true to our own values. When people act with authenticity—aligning their words and actions with their principles—they reinforce trust in themselves and in the workplace. In the next lesson, we explore the importance of embracing authentic integrity and what it means to be true to ourselves in every decision we make.
Reflection Questions:
Have I ever faced a situation where doing the right thing was difficult? How did I handle it?
How do I respond when I see someone else bending the rules or acting unethically?
Are there situations where I justify small ethical lapses? What impact could those have over time?
Have I ever spoken up about something I knew was wrong? What was the outcome?
What can I do to ensure my decisions align with both workplace policies and my personal values?
Expand your understanding of Doing the Right Thing with the following resources. Use this opportunity to refine your leadership skills and navigate challenges with the care and professionalism that define The MCPO Way.
A Framework for Ethical Decision Making
Ethics: Yes, Even When Nobody is Watching (16:00)
Dawne Ware, TEDxFairfieldUniversity
What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?
2023 The Global Business Ethics Survey - Ethics & Compliance Initiative