Week Three Reflection: Reflections on Honesty and Business Ethics

This week's readings on ethics and honesty really made me reflect on how ethics play not just in our individual character but also in how organizations build trust and stand. The Week 03 materials taught me that honesty is not just telling the truth; it's being genuine, being true to oneself, and making decisions that are fair to all parties involved. Perhaps the most significant thing I learned was that ethics is something we need to go after, not react to after things have already gone wrong. We can't just not be bad; we need to consciously decide to do the right thing, even when it's difficult or will cost us.

The readings and videos presented some real-life stories where ethical failures led to major consequences, like ruined reputations, legal troubles, and broken relationships. These examples really hit home for me, showing how even small decisions can set off a chain reaction. In both my work and personal life, I’ve seen that honesty builds trust over time, but just one moment of dishonesty can destroy it in an instant. This has made me more determined to always be honest in all that I do, especially when I am with other people or when I am in leadership.

Most striking was the assumption that moral cultures don't develop by default—instead, they're purposefully crafted by values, transparency, and responsibility. I've spent a considerable amount of time thinking about how I could help build one of my own by leading by example and engaging in open discussion on ethics.

In the future, I would like to know more about how businesses weigh profits and ethics. I would like to know in particular about systems that enable us to decide when there is a conflict in values. This week's lesson really hit home with the reality that ethics is not what you learn but what you live.