Business loves its buzzwords. As a business ethics motivational speaker, business ethics consultant and author, for the past 27 years, I believe I have seen a hundred or more buzzwords come and go. The latest term thrown about is Corporate Social Responsibility or “CSR.”
While in no way do I minimize the importance of CSR, unless its vision incorporates ethics and ethical behavior, it remains a tidy catchphrase that floats around virtual or in-person meeting rooms.
Over the years and through the woods
In the years I have worked in my chosen profession of ethics motivational speaker, business ethics consultant and author, I wasn’t consciously trying to fit my point-of-view into a CSR box. However, I was stressing the unethical aspects of gender discrimination and abuse; environmental impact and pollution; workplace bullying; financial fraud and corporate governance.
It wasn’t until after I finished a presentation last year to a trade association in the software industry when an attendee pointed out how my messaging hit on all of the points of corporate social responsibility. I asked if her organization had a mission statement stressing that Corporate Social Responsibility is Corporate Ethical Social Responsibility.
“Well,” she replied, “we don’t state it as such, but we believe it.”
Sorry, but if ethical behavior and ethical expectations aren’t woven into every aspect of what the organization deems corporate social responsibility, it really does remain a feel-good buzzword.
Ethics implies expectations
When ethical behavior assumes its rightful place in an organization, it affects every aspect of the organizational purpose. As an example, Montgomery College in Maryland in its mission statement actively incorporates ethics into all facets of its social responsibility. They list several expectations of how they believe their organization must function including:
- Accountability
- Civility and Collegiality
- Compliance
- College
- Fairness:
- Honesty
- Respect
- Stewardship
How might the CSR screen of a college like Montgomery be applied to a business? Using the same ethical expectations as above, an organization would have to comply in the following manner:
Accountability – We are ethically responsible to our stakeholders in everything we do. From polluting to fraud, our leadership is held to the same standards as our newest hires.
Civility and Collegiality – We are ethically bound to lift-up everyone in our organization and to be inclusive in all aspects of our mission. Further, employees who have faced discrimination must be able to confidentially and safely report offenders.
Compliance – We are ethically bound to comply with legal, social, financial, governmental and environmental laws.
“College” – Our business campus will be ethical throughout our satellite offices, affiliates and (if applicable) franchisees. No exceptions.
Fairness – We are equally fair toward our vendors and outside contractors as our employees.
Honesty – We view honesty as a basic ethical tenet of our organizational mission. Fraud and misrepresentation will not be tolerated.
Respect – Ethically, everyone is equally respected in our organization and as an extension of that commitment we respect the environment and our planet.
Stewardship – We are ethical stewards of our resources, be they physical or intellectual.
If values such as those I illustrate above are incorporated into a statement of Corporate Social Responsibility, it casts an entirely different light on the discussion. In doing so, if an organization (public or private) is held to a much higher standard.
Corporate Social Responsibility is Corporate Ethical Social Responsibility
Unfortunately, terms like business ethics behavior are sometimes viewed as archaic while corporate social responsibility are seen as trendy and relevant. In truth, the opposite is true. Unless the concept of CSR enjoys a strong ethical base, it will drift depending upon interpretation, expediency and the whims of “pressure.”
Ultimately, there is no higher corporate purpose than having an ethical purpose. It needs to be celebrated and respected as we would respect one another and the environment in which we live.
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