Definitions of Ethical Values in Organizations
Whether writing a code or developing an ethics program, organizations need to identify and define a set of values that represent the ethical ideals of the organization.
Regardless of the means by which you select your values, it is also important to draft a definition for each; employees need to know how you view these values, just as they need to know what ideals you consider to be important. The following are some terms typically found in codes.
Acceptance
Favorable reception or belief in something
Accomplishment
Doing or finishing something successfully
Accountability
Obligation or willingness to accept responsibility
Adaptability
The ability to modify behavior to fit changing situations
Adventurousness
Inclination to undertake new and daring enterprises
Allegiance
Loyalty or the obligation of loyalty
Altruism
Unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something
Appreciation
Recognizing the quality, value or significance of people and things
Aspiration
A strong or persistent desire for high achievement
Authenticity
The quality or condition of being trustworthy or genuine
Autonomy
The condition or quality of being independent
Benevolence
An inclination to perform kind, charitable acts
Camaraderie
Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends
Caring
Feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others
Changeability
The ability to modify or adapt to differing circumstances
Charity
Generosity toward others or toward humanity
Chastity
The condition of being of virtuous character
Cheerfulness
The quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
Citizenship
Exercising the duties rights, and privileges of being a citizen
Clear thinking
Acting intelligently without mental confusion
Collaboration
To work cooperatively especially in a joint intellectual effort
Commitment
Being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons
Community
Recognition that one is part of a greater whole which leads to sharing, participation and fellowship with others as well as mutual concern for each others’ well-being
Compassion
Deep awareness of the suffering of others coupled with the wish to relieve it
Competence
The state or quality of being adequately or well qualified
Competitive
Striving to do something better than someone else
Composure
Maintaining a tranquil or calm state of mind
Concern
Regard for or interest in someone or something
Confidence
Faith in one’s talents and abilities; belief that success is likely and merited
Conscientiousness
Feeling that one is personally responsible for meeting needs and living up to expectations
Consideration
Process of employing continuous, careful thought and examination
Consistency
Reliability or uniformity of successive results or events
Constancy
Steadfastness in purpose
Cooperation
The willing association and interaction of a group of people to accomplish a goal
Courage
The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear or challenges with confidence and resolution
Courtesy
Civility; consideration for others
Credibility
The quality or power to engender trust
Decency
Conformity to prevailing standards of propriety or modesty
Dedication
Selfless devotion of energy or time
Democracy
The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community
Dependability
The trait of being reliable
Determination
Firmness of will, strength, purpose of character
Diligence
Working consistently and dutifully
Diversity
A point of respect in which things differ; variety
Easy going
Relaxed or informal in attitude or standards
Education
Obtaining or developing knowledge or skill through a learning process
Effort
Putting in the time and exertion to do one’s best
Efficiency
The quality of producing an effect or result with a reasonable degree of effort to energy expended
Empathy
Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings and motives
Encouragement
The act of incitement to action or to practice
Equality
The right of different groups of people to receive the same treatment
Equity
The state, quality, or ideal of being just, impartial and fair
Ethics
Beliefs about what is right and wrong conduct
Excellence
Exceeding expectations, maximizing potential and demonstrating considerable skill and accomplishments
Fairness
Consistent with rules, logic or ethics
Faith
Confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing
Faithfulness
Adhering firmly and devotedly to someone or something that elicits or demands one’s fidelity
Fidelity
Faithfulness; loyalty or devotion
Flexibility
Responsive to change
Forgiveness
Letting go of the past wrongdoings of another so the relationship can move forward
Fortitude
The strength or firmness of mind that enables a person to face danger, pain or despondency with stoic resolve
Friendship
A relationship between people based on mutual esteem and goodwill
Generosity
Liberality in giving or willingness to give
Gentleness
The quality of being mild and docile
Genuine
Not deceitful or counterfeit; authentic
Giving
Voluntarily transferring knowledge or property without receiving value in return
Goodness
Morally right, or admirable because of kind, thoughtful, or honest behavior
Goodwill
A friendly attitude in which you wish that good things happen to people
Gratitude
A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
Hardworking
Industrious and tireless
Helpfulness
The property of providing useful assistance or friendliness evidence by a kindly and helpful disposition
Honesty
Fairness and straightforwardness of conduct
Honor
Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Hope
The feeling that something desired can be had or will happen
Humility
Feeling that you have no special importance that makes you better than others
Independence
Able to act without relying on the assistance of others and the resolve to make decisions without others’ undue influence
Industriousness
The characteristic of regularly working hard
Ingenuity
Inventive skill or imagination
Initiative
Ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task
Integrity
Strict adherence to moral values and principles
Joy
Intense or exuberant happiness often stemming from a sense of interior peace and “rightness
Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude
Kindness
Caring about the needs of others, concern for their best interests and well-being
Law-abiding
Abiding by the encoded rules of society
Leadership
Taking charge and being a good example
Liberty
The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one’s own choosing.
Love
A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person or idea
Loyalty
A feeling or attitude of devotion, attachment and affection
Mercy
Forgiveness shown toward someone whom you have the power to punish
Moderation
Having neither too little nor too much of anything
Morals
Individual beliefs about what is right and wrong
Motivation
Determination; resolve to put forth one’s best effort
Obedience
Compliance with that which is required; adherence to the requests of legitimate authority
Opportunity
Favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances
Optimism
A bright, hopeful view and expectation of the best possible outcome
Patience
The ability to accept delay, suffering or annoyance without complaint or anger
Peace
Freedom from war, violence and discord
Perseverance
Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief or a purpose
Perspective
Ability to see the “big picture” and determine the relative importance of different interests and priorities
Promise-keeping
Keeping your word that that you will certainly do something
Prudence
Doing something right because it is the right thing to do
Punctuality
Adherence to the exact time of a commitment or event
Purity
Moral goodness
Reason
The ability to think and make good judgments
Recognition
An acceptance as true or valid
Reconciliation
Jointly working through divergent ideas or positions so all involved can work together
Reliability
Consistent performance upon which you can depend or trust
Repentance
Remorse for past wrongdoings
Resilience
The ability to rebound quickly from misfortune or change
Resourcefulness
The ability to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations
Respect
Showing due deference to the innate dignity and value of others
Responsibility
That for which someone is responsible or answerable
Righteousness
The state of being morally upright; without guilt or sin
Sacrifice
To give up something for something else considered more important
Self-control
Control of personal emotions, desires, or actions by one’s own will
Self-discipline
Making yourself do things when you should, even if you do not want to do them
Self-respect
Confident recognition of one’s innate value and dignity
Sensitivity
Awareness of the needs and emotions of others
Serenity
Calmness of mind and evenness of temper
Service
Intentional efforts to understand the needs of others and to be of assistance
Sharing
To allow others to participate in, use, enjoy or experience jointly or in turns
Sincerity
Genuineness, honesty and freedom from deception and/or intentional misrepresentation
Sobriety
Possessing the resolve to act and make decisions solely based on logic and merit, rather than succumbing to passion or attachment ; calmness; coolness; seriousness
Stamina
The physical or mental strength to do something for a long time
Stewardship
The careful conducting, supervising, or managing of something
Supportive
Furnishing support or assistance
Sustainability
Making decisions and acting with regard for the value and finite nature of resources, including the environment
Teamwork
Working together towards a common goal
Thoughtfulness
The tendency to anticipate needs or wishes
Tolerance
Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others
Tranquility
A state of calm and peacefulness
Transparency
Being forthright and open in one’s dealings and in communicating matters of importance
Trustworthiness
The trait of deserving confidence
Truthfulness
Honesty in words and actions; being forthcoming and avoiding deception
Understanding
Knowing how something works or a positive, truthful relationship between people
Values
Core beliefs that guide and motivate attitudes and actions
Virtue
Doing something right because it is the good thing to do
Wisdom
The ability to make good judgments based on what you have learned from your experience
Work
Perform as intended or desired
Work Ethic
Dedication and commitment to fulfilling one’s responsibilities and successfully completely assignments
- Free Ethics & Compliance Toolkit
- Ethics and Compliance Glossary
- Definitions of Values
- Why Have a Code of Conduct?
- Code Construction and Content
- Common Code Provisions
- Ten Style Tips for Writing an Effective Code of Conduct
- The PLUS Ethical Decision Making Model
- Five Keys to Reducing Ethics and Compliance Risk
- Business Ethics & Compliance Timeline