Organizations often proudly trumpet their ethics training programs and, in doing so, frequently point out the significant time and money they spent on developing or purchasing their program. Some of these programs are certainly extremely well designed. Most, however, only cover a very limited range of the relevant issues or use only a single mode of learning—neither of which bodes well as far as the program's effectiveness.
All-too-often, ethics training programs or modules are geared almost exclusively towards reviewing the rules and perhaps basic compliance procedures. Such training is, of course, critically important. However, it leaves out several essential components of effective ethics training.
The first frequently missing component is training on how to think on one's feet about ethically challenging situations. Besides simply knowing the rules, it's equally critical to know what to do when there isn't a rule for something. Truly comprehensive, effective ethics training will help develop that skill.
Next, we all know that training is most effective when it includes a combination of listening, thinking, and active interaction. Active practice of a skill, combined with direct and immediate feedback, is one of the best training tools you have and yet few ethics programs combine these modalities. Does yours? Or is "training" actually just dozing through yet another PowerPoint presentation—or spending a few minutes in front of a computer screen—and then signing off on some assurance document that you have been trained?
Lastly, does your ethics training program help employees learn about the thinking that goes on behind ethics problems and then helps them carefully examine their own thinking and values so as to help them identify their own personal risks? If so, does it also help them learn what to do when they become aware of such a risk?
If your program is missing any of these components—and, frankly, most are—your ethics training lacks key elements that will severely compromise its utility in both the short and long run. Be sure to build them in as promptly and as effectively as you can.
As 2011 rolls along, how effective will your ethics training be?
Christopher Bauer helps companies create and implement high-impact, high-ROI ethics and values training programs. In addition to consultation on program development and implementation, he also provides keynotes and seminars on how to reduce or prevent costly employee ethics problems. Information on Bauer Ethics Seminars is available at
