In the previous segments of our Visioning Tips series, you took a look at six different steps for generating creativity and homing in on your vision. In this next segment, we'll take a look at how your ethical standards affect your vision, and whether your vision — if enacted — affects others. Need to catch up? Start from the beginning of the Ivy Sea Visioning Series.

From "iffy" to ethical
HOW DO YOUR ETHICS AFFECT YOUR VISION, AND OTHERS?

Ethics can seem untouchable — those topics that you just don't raise in polite conversation, at least in some cultures. Our own personal standards of ethics are often inspired by our religious or philosophical belief system, and seem sacred and immovable. And then there's business, particularly the profit-making variety, which some people seem to think has its own brand of ethical standards that conveniently don't impinge on one's ability to maximize profits and sell more products.

Yet, just as there are common tenets among the world's religions and schools of philosophy, there are common standards of what system of ethics should guide our behavior so that we serve, or at least don't hamper, the common good. And business organizations, profit-making or otherwise, are not immune.

To foster clarity, ask the tough questions

Your vision of your own company or department is similarly fed, at least in part, by your system of ethics or ideal for "what is right, and what is wrong." It is also influenced by what you perceive to be in between right and wrong — that "gray zone" from which ethical snafus can more easily stem. If your vision comes to fruition, as you would no doubt hope to be the case, the vision-in-action does have an effect on other people.

Do you know what that effect is? Do you know whether others are affected for the better, not at all, or for the worse as you endeavor to make your vision real? Do you know what sort of ethical dilemmas or breaches fall in your "gray zone?" Have you talked with the people on your team about the standards of behavior you'd like to operate from, or ethical quandaries you'd like to avoid, individually or as an organization? If you can't answer these questions, you may be fostering a situation where ethical breaches are easier because ethical standards are vague.

Surf through our ethics-related content in our Ethics Portal, and consider printing out several articles and our Ethics Discussion-Group Guide for your own review and reflection or for an inspired dialogue with your team.

Check back next month for the next tip in our "Get Inspired"Visioning series.

In case you've missed previous tips...

We'll have ten tips in all (and, knowing us, we'll throw in a few bonus tips to tap that extra reserve of inspiration). So mark your calendar and bookmark the Series Intro page now. Don't miss these previous installments to our Visioning Tips Series:

Visioning Series Kickoff — A Few Great Reasons to Bother With Visioning

Visioning Tip #1 — Prime the Pump: Loosen up with some "get-started" dialogue

Visioning Tip #2 —The Reflection Connection: What's most important?

Visioning Tip #3 — Activate Your Senses: Get your brain storming with creativity

Visioning Tip #4 — Identify Your Emerging Themes

Visioning Tip #5 — Noticing Where Your Key Themes Are Already at Work

Visioning Tip #6 — What do people call your company when you're not in ear-shot?

Remember, this information is food-for-thought. The most effective approach is the one that's been tailored to meet the unique needs of your group. If you have questions, connect with someone who can provide a perspective you trust and value, or e-mail us at info@ivysea.com.