It is amazing how often respected employees are considered above reproach and not confronted regarding their inappropriate behavior. We are quick to forgive them their legal or ethical indiscretions because they have earned our respect through their otherwise upright actions. Yet it is obviously dangerous for anyone to be excused from inappropriate behavior simply because we have appreciated other positive things they might have done.
However, it happens time and time again.
Perhaps these individuals performed well in the past or maybe they have made great contributions to the organization or the community. Maybe they have previously been great mentors. They may even still be making an extremely positive contribution despite their illegal or unethical behavior. (Remember, even the most egregious ethics violators are rarely all bad. In fact, most have many more positive attributes than negative ones.)
No matter how wonderful or important their other behavior has been, 'mostly' appropriate behavior is simply not enough where ethics are concerned. An ethics violation, whether big or small, is no more appropriate when carried out by someone who is an otherwise wonderful or important person.
Might it feel more difficult to confront these individuals due to their stature or power? Certainly. However, that difficulty in no way excuses us from our obligation to act when we see a problem with ethics, no matter who the perpetrator may be.
Are you aware of someone who needs to be confronted but no one seems willing or able? If you feel that you cannot confront them either, what barriers exist in your thinking or your organization that make such a confrontation so difficult? Make it a point to learn how to reduce or overcome those barriers so that anyone's inappropriate behavior, regardless of their stature, can be confronted both quickly and effectively when the need arises.
Christopher Bauer helps companies create and implement ethics and values training programs. Information on Bauer Ethics Seminars is available at
