Looking at a training and professional development organization from an ethical perspective requires me to reflect back on my formative years. My core beliefs and values stem from the environment in which I was raised. My parents modeled strong family values and instilled those values in me from an early age. At the core of those values is integrity, living a life of honesty and authenticity. It is being true to who we are and being a person of impeccable character, treating others the way we would want to be treated. I’ve been inspired by a quote from Hall of Fame UCLA basketball coach John Wooden who said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are” (Goodreads, 2021).

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Another personal core values is Service to Others, giving back to those less fortunate, standing up for those who are underrepresented or disadvantaged, and speaking out when I see an injustice occurring. I believe in the equitable treatment of all people and that everyone should be treated fairly in business and in life. Who we are as individuals today is defined by our interactions with others throughout our lifetime. “The persons, groups, and institutions with which we associate shapes us and the narrative ground on which we stand” (Arnett et al, 2017, p. 78). Furthermore, “According to John Rawls, given the presence of others and our need of these others both to survive and to thrive, ethics is elementally the pursuit of justice, fair play, and equity” (Gini & Green, 2014, p. 36).

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Regarding ethical challenges faced by companies in today’s economic climate, Dr. Steve May discusses the ethical perspectives and practices of modern organizations and the relationship between employers and employees, noting that currently “employees are sent a mixed message, in which they are expected to work more for less pay and limited employment stability and yet still remain loyal to the company” (May, 2013, p. 10)

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To understand a company’s business ethics and if it aligns with their mission, we can examine the way it treats its employees, customers, suppliers, and community. Do their words and actions align, are they congruent? Dr. May states that in an ethical organization, “alignment occurs in personal, professional, and organizational aspirations and behaviors, fosters dialogic communication, encourages transparency in structures, policies, and procedures, and promotes courage to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas” (May, 2013, p. 21)

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 Dr. May goes further in recognizing that “[Ethical organizations] produce organizational commitment by encouraging a level of trust that rewards and recognizes high performance and responsibility. As a result, participatory organizations are well known for their ability to recruit, develop, and retain talented employees” (May, 2013, p. 25).  Equitable and authentic training and development initiatives for employees are critical to developing and retaining committed team members, creating a culture of inclusion and belonging.