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Ethical Work Environment
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The beliefs that people have can vary greatly from one person to the next. In short, a
worldview consists of our beliefs and assumptions about how the world fits together (Wilkens.
2011.). What one person holds as a central pillar of their beliefs, someone else could have a
belief that is a polar opposite. My worldview from an ethical viewpoint is based on honor,
respect, courage, empathy, and integrity. Lying, cheating, and stealing are not only poor
character traits, but they are also not socially acceptable, and those who act with honor abhor
these practices. I feel that all people and situations should be treated with the respect they are
warranted. While physical courage is what most people think of when they hear the term, I am
also referring to having the courage to lead by example, admit a mistake, or accept the
consequences of the actions taken. Courage is not always physical, but it is always important.
Other people have different experiences, and they are all fighting their own battles. Showing
empathy and an effort to understand what others are going through allows us to form stronger,
more meaningful connections to those around us. Without Integrity, any system of beliefs can
fall apart as soon as it is challenged. Integrity not only allows us to form our beliefs, but it also
allows us to continue to follow them in times of adversity.
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The vision I have had for my life has changed greatly over the years, and for a while I
could not understand why everything that I tried to accomplish ended in failure or redirection.
Throughout my life I have tried my hand at military service, motorcycle mechanics, and many
other different career paths, but every one of them came to the same result- this is not the path
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for me. If this question was asked of me just one year ago, I would have said that my vision is to
become a commercial pilot, find a position at the airline of my choice, and fly with them until I
retire. However, that is no longer my answer. I realized that aviation is me calling, but perhaps
being a pilot is not the correct path, because I have found another obstacle blocking my path.
Since I began attending Liberty University, I have realized that God has a plan for us all, and He
will give us direction when we need it. I feel that the obstacle that prevented me from continuing
my pilot training was intended by Him to give me pause to think about my choice and place me
on my current path, aviation management. My vision is to become the Executive Director of an
airport. While this goal is not attainable from the start of employment, it will be through time and
promotion. My mission is to attain a managerial position at an airport or airline, by using the
degree I will receive upon completion of my schooling, to build experience in the aviation
industry and I will use the experience and knowledge I gain in these positions to assist me in
earning higher positions is management until I have reached my current goal, or until I have
found an area that I am truly content with.
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Following the word of God sounds like an easy thing to do, however, that is not entirely
true. Humans are fallible, and we all have, and will sin, no matter how hard we try to avoid it.
While the moral ideals of the ten commandments are not unique to Christian ethics (Wilkins.
2011.), they do provide a solid foundation to lead one’s life. I love my wife with everything I
have, and the commandment “You shall not commit adultery”, is not even something I think
about. Not because I do not believe the commandment is valid, but because the thought of
committing such a heinous act against someone I hold so dear is so far from what I believe, that
the idea of adultery is not even a consideration. Treating everyone I encounter with love, in one
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form or another, is another way I apply Christian ethics in my daily life. “So we have come to
know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides
in God, and God abides in him.” – 1 John 4:16. Love can have many different forms aside from
physical, the love for a friend, or just simple compassion towards a stranger are both
demonstrations of love. When I meet people, I always try to accept them with some form of love.
I always have, and always will honor my parents. My mother lost her husband a few years ago,
and she is now living alone. Even though she lives over an hour away from me, I still try to
spend time with her on a weekly basis. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I do what I can to
make sure I can spend as much time as I can with her each week. Honesty is a value that is
important in any environment, especially in personal life. I must be honest with myself about
everything, and as a result, I am honest with those I interact with. Honesty is not always
comfortable or convenient, but being dishonest in my personal life will lead to nothing but
disappointment is anything I do.
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Integrity and ethics are essential to success in business (Bluefield University. 2021). The
incorporation of Christian ethics into professional roles helps you thrive as an individual, as well
as helping the company project a better reputation. Treating others as you want to be treated is
something that everyone desires, and that desire is no different in the business world. Other
businesses will not engage in dealings with a company that is not honest in their practices. Being
honest with your employees, stakeholders, potential partners, and customers is something I
would strive to do at every opportunity. If I am honest and open with my employees, this creates
clear lines of communication that are not skewed by mistrust or misinformation, which leads to
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better informed decisions and results. Being honest with stakeholders allows them to get a clear
picture and make better choices for the direction of the company. Hiding the truth from potential
partners could result in a decision made in good faith based on the information provided, only to
become a disaster after they find out what the truth actually is. Honesty with customers will do
nothing but improve your reputation and is most likely to create a loyal customer base and help
grow the business by word of mouth. If people you deal with can trust your word, and believe it
as the truth, this is beneficial to both the company and your position in that company.
“Professionalism in aviation is the pursuit of doing it right, all the time, even when nobody’s
looking.” (NBAA. 2020.).
Corporate greed is not anything new to business, and while some companies are aimed
only at producing a profit and nothing more, this practice is not something that should be
emulated by Christian professionals. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and
forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8:36. We should be fair in all business practices that we conduct, both
internally and with other companies including our competitors. For example, Curtiss-Wright and
Boeing are competitors in the aviation industry, but Curtiss-Wright provides integral parts for the
construction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Competitors do not have to be enemies, in business,
or any other arena of life. Remembering that other companies are trying to do the same thing as
yours should not be cause for hatred, but for collaboration, professional courtesy, and
competition.
Helping those who are less fortunate is something that Christians ought to do, and
businesses are able to help others as well as themselves. Researching and finding a cause that is
in line with your and your company’s values, and donating time, money, products, or services
strengthens the community, the company’s reputation and demonstrates strong corporate social
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responsibility, all while following the Bible’s teachings of doing good works (Rundell. 2004.).
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While it would be ideal to have a singular ethical system to make all decisions from, that
is not always possible. I base my decisions on situational ethics initially, to determine what
ethical system would be the most appropriate. For example, I was instructed to lie by my direct
superior to make the company look better, under threat of termination if I refuse. Kantian ethics
could demand I grant this demand, because it is my duty to those above me, however, this would
go against my personal values. Situational ethics could be used, because I would need to weigh
the consequences of my actions of agreeing or refusing. Virtue ethics could also work because
this takes into account what is, and what ought to be. The virtuous thing to do would be to refuse
the demand, because while it would most likely cost me my job, I feel it would not be worth my
honor and integrity. While there are ethical solutions to just about every situation, it does not
mean that every ethical system is as well equipped to handle every scenario. Using different
ethical systems, while maintaining your core values, helps to ensure that you are making the best
possible decisions from your viewpoint, without betraying your own values in the process.
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The aviation industry is laden with rules and regulations with the intent on safety for all
involved. In such a rule-bound environment, it could be easy to conclude that if it’s not a rule, it
doesn’t need to be done. This blind adherence to rules can lead to poor, or completely missed
safety practices. Others can see that something needs to change, but do nothing, because “That’s
how we do things here.”. This practice of ignoring safety concerns because they are not already
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officially addressed can have terrible consequences. “Sinful practices become their
habits,GthenGtheir choice, and finally their character.” (Willard. n.d.). Leading by example can be
a major influence on change in the ethical environment in the workplace. Voicing concerns,
voluntarily adhering to a practice that does not violate stated rules, suggesting changes in policy
that could improve efficiency or safety, or making others aware of any issues that could affect
them are all ways that you could have an impact in an ethical way. Acting as an example of what
should be done can serve as a beacon for others to change their ways and could change their
ethical views.
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References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
How to apply Christian ethics to business practices. Bluefield University. (2021, August 23).
https://www.bluefield.edu/blog/importance-christian-ethics-business/
Professionalism, ethical behavior leads to safe operations. NBAA. (2020, December 8).
https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/safety/professionalism-in-business-aviation/
professionalism-ethical-behavior-leads-safe-operations/
Rundle, S. (2004). Corporate Social Responsibility in a Globalizing World: What’s a Christian
Executive to Do?GBusiness & Professional Ethics Journal,G23(4), 171–183.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27801365
Wilkens, S. (2011).GBeyond Bumper Sticker EthicsG(2nd ed.). Independent Publishers Group
(Chicago Review Press).Ghttps://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9780830869077
Willard, D. (n.d.). Human body and spiritual growth. Dallas Willard.
https://dwillard.org/articles/human-body-and-spiritual-growth-the
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