As auditors, we face the daunting task of telling people things they do not want to hear each and every day. What is my advice to get through this? “Always speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.”
When I saw this image, it resonated with me both personally and professionally. Ethics is a word we hear so often and we all tend to think we are “ethical” humans – but do you have an ethical mantra that you always follow?
This is mine: Speak. The. Truth.
My voice has definitely shaken in the past, as has my whole body (let’s just be honest here) – when I have had to stand up and say what is right. But never, ever have I regretted opening my mouth. Even if my voice was shaky.
This may offend some of you that think you are the most ethical Auditor you could be – but I challenge you to ask yourself – are you always raising your voice when you need to? There may be more to “ethics” than you are thinking about today.
When most people hear “Where were the auditors?” they think external auditors, financial statement audits, or Big Four firms. But I challenge the status quo by asking Internal Audit functions this question as well – were they always speaking the truth? The BP oil spill, LIBOR interest rate rigging, Wells Fargo fake accounts, Volkswagen emissions scandal, and you can’t not mention Enron’s accounting fraud…
Ethical food for thought.
My advice: Develop an ethical mantra. Apply it professionally. Apply it personally. Don’t waiver.
ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN YOUR VOICE SHAKES.
Contact me to learn more about my Ethics services – how I can help your organization develop effective Ethics Policies/Codes of Conduct, or provide Ethics CPE credits today.
