Throughout this semester I will be sharing my discussion board forum posts, and possibly tidbits of what will be on my final paper for the courses. I'm only attending college part-time this semester. We have quarters instead of regular semesters, so our class only lasts eight weeks. Currently I am enrolled in LDR 5203-OL1: Leadership, Ethics, & Social Responsibility.
Week 2 Discussion Board: Using a Code of Ethics
As I am gaining real world experience, both professionally and personally, while simultaneously advancing my education I’m molding and developing myself for a specific leadership position; this position is that of executive. It encompasses roles like senior official, senior administrator, and/or chief executive officer (C.E.O.). Unless you are a founding member of a company it can take years, if not over a decade, to advance to such a leadership position. The fact that they seek those with a lot of experience and education is because the job they must preform is in no way easy or simple. It’s difficult to manage a company, while keeping more than the majority of stakeholders happy. For example, look at nearly every petroleum company. The majority of us use some form of petroleum every day, either in the form of gasoline, heating oil, etc. However, when something happens to the environment from equipment malfunctions and/or other accidents a percentage of the population that uses it retaliates to some degree. How the executives respond largely depends on not only the company’s ethics and values, such as it’s corporate social responsibility, but on their personal ethical standards.
Grant F. Redi, the C.E.O. and President of Mars, Incorporated, has been able to efficiently manage the organization and consistently keep all stakeholders content. In 2019, Mars, Inc. was named one of the most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute. (Mars, Incorporated, 2019) In order to achieve this award several principles, and goals needed to be implemented from the farms where food is sourced all the way to the senior executive roles. As a C.E.O. he personally helps guide the company by assisting in preparing its overall structure and adhering to the guidelines set forth by the company. Mars, Inc. is centered around its core ethical values which it calls The Five Principles. (Mars, Incorporated, 2020) The Five Principles are as follows:
· We are committed to Quality of work and contributions to society.
· We embrace our Responsibility (as individuals and a company) to act now.
· We base decisions on Mutuality of benefit to our stakeholders.
· We harness the power of Efficiency to use our resources to maximum effect.
· We have the financial Freedom to make our own decisions, unrestricted by motivations of others. (Mars, Incorporated, 2020)
While all of these principles are important and necessary, the principle of responsibility is the most important of all. Let us venture more into what the principle of responsibility is at Mars, Incorporated. The following is the full description of this principle:
The Five Principles: Responsibility
As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
OUR ROLE
How We Create Our Culture
We choose to be different from those corporations where many levels of management dilute personal responsibility. All Associates are asked to take direct responsibility for results, to exercise initiative and judgment and to make decisions as required. By recruiting ethical people well suited to their jobs and trusting them, we ask Associates to be accountable for their own high standards.
OUR TRUST
The Importance of Our Associates
Our company is complex, with brands, businesses, and operations located around the world. How could we thrive if every decision were made centrally? For this reason, we give all Associates freedom to take full responsibility to deliver superior results for doing their assigned jobs. In return, Associates receive respect and support, and are appropriately rewarded in line with their performance. We celebrate success and recognize the many Associates who make an extra effort. We also encourage Associates to develop the full measure of their abilities to enable them to take on more demanding jobs.
OUR EXPECTATION
Teamwork and Unit Responsibilities
Just as we Associates must be ready to share certain tasks, as we work together to reach our common goals, units also must work with each other to achieve broad corporate objectives. While each is fully responsible for achieving its own mission, units and divisions are interdependent and must be ready to respond to others. Because we rely on one another, we must actively communicate our objectives, plans, activities and needs, and resolve differences equitably.
OUR SPIRIT
Responsibilities and Rewards of Our Association
The principle of Responsibility applies to every level within Mars, from the Associate’s obligation to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity to the company’s ethical responsibility to its communities and the environment. Because we value and recognize each other’s contributions, we treat all Associates fairly and equitably, avoid divisive privileges and disapprove of disrespectful behavior of any kind. This is the source of the word “Associate” and of the egalitarian spirit at Mars, which is our policy and practice regardless of age, gender, race or religious belief. As such we must have the courage to call attention to those Associates not behaving according to our values. We believe that if what we say and what we do are consistent with our principles, we will achieve the results we seek. (Mars, Incorporated, 2020)
The explanation of this principle is complex; however, it allows for there to be enough detail that no one will be confused as to what is expected from anyone involved. The detail serves as strong guide, and if followed it will help elevate the company, which is why its been named one of the most ethical companies two years in a row. The main weakness to this principle is that if it is not followed correctly then there can be negative consequences, and failures at certain points in the organization. For example, if the following quoted section to the responsibility principle isn’t followed, then the department where the employee is assigned, and the employee will fall short of the companies ethical standards: For this reason, we give all Associates freedom to take full responsibility to deliver superior results for doing their assigned jobs. In return, Associates receive respect and support, and are appropriately rewarded in line with their performance. As you can see it’s stated that the employee is given freedom; however, its up to themselves to be responsible. This part can only work if the proper people are hired for the position. Essentially, from top to bottom every person they hire must have positive personal ethics and values. As a leader, I would implement a similar ethical principle, and I would want to work for an organization that also would do the same.
References
Ethisphere Institute. (2019). The 2019 World's Most Ethical Companies Honoree List. Retrieved January 14, 2020, from http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees/
Mars, Incorporated. (2019, February 26). Mars, Incorporated Named One of the 2019 World's Most Ethical Companies (R) by Ethisphere for the Second Year in a Row. Retrieved January 14, 2020, from MarketWatch: https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/mars-incorporated-named-one-of-the-2019-worlds-most-ethical-companiesr-by-ethisphere-for-the-second-year-in-a-row-2019-02-26
Mars, Incorporated. (2020). The Five Principles. Retrieved January 14, 2020, from Mars, Incorporated: http://www.mars.com/about/five-principles
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