I was certainly at an impasse.  I wanted our team to do well on the inspection, however, I wasn’t comfortable doing what my supervisor suggested.  Instead of just telling the inspectors what was wrong and taking the “hit”, he suggested that I “gun deck” the paperwork to make it look like it was in compliance.

Does this sound familiar?  Are you torn between two ethical choices?  Feeling like a tool?   When something seems amiss, it usually is.  When I’m pushed, I go through this process to determine what the right course is.

First, I seek my moral compass.  Inherently, I know what’s right and what’s not.  If it feels bad…there is usually a reason.  Go with your gut on what is right and power through.  I think most people have this compass and do (can) use this method.  However, if your favorite thing to do as a child was to bury kittens alive, you may want to ask yourself, “What Would Jesus do?”  as a moral guide.  When you have that answer, torque it down two steps and then go with that.

Second, I think about what my Mom would say about it.  Let’s face it, moms know what’s wrong and what’s not.  Further, they aren’t shy about giving you the “look” when you did something you shouldn’t have.  This is, however, goes with the assumption that your Mom isn’t Lizzie Borden, Bloody Mary or any of the other women on the “10 Most Evil Women in History” list.  If they are, you can ask my mom (she’d be happy to not only tell you what to do, she’ll Skype you to give you a disapproving eye).

Last, I think of how this would look to others if they knew.  Mainly, would I want this on Facebook…published to all my “friends” (I put friends in quotations because, honestly, I don’t know who the hell half the people are).  Yes, peer pressuring myself into compliance, if necessary.

On this occasion, I stuck with my moral compass (which is my norm) and told the inspectors what was wrong.  They appreciated my honesty and helped me correct the problem (without issue) and we didn’t take the hit in the inspection.  Most people appreciate honesty and you can’t be faulted for doing what is right.  But…if you are penalized and have to take a chewing…at least you can rest easy tonight knowing you acted ethically.