Factors blinding people to compromise their standards

In research conducted by Ethisphere they looked at the factors which "blind" people and cause them to compromise their ethical standard.

These are the results:
70%: pressure to meet unrealistic targets
39%: desire to further one's career
34%:desire to protect one's livelihood
31%:working in an environment with cynicism
28%:ignorance that the act was unethical
24%:lack of consequence if caught
24%:need to follow boss' orders
15%:peer pressure


It is clear from this that reducing the pressure employees work under to achieve unrealistic targets is the one factor which could materially improve ethical standards in organisations and ultimately customer outcomes. This is where the need to engage more with stakeholders could, literally, pay dividends. If employees are more actively involved in the target setting and their issues listened to and addressed to create realistic targets they are more likely to achieve or even exceed these targets without cutting corners, damaging the customer experience and/or organisational reputation. In the same way there needs to be more active engagement with shareholders explaining the need for a slightly slower and longer term focus.

On-going and determined dialogue with stakeholders is one of the ways of building trust  and boosting value.