When ethics scandals hit, it tends to be the fault of certain individuals inside the organization. More often than not, they have allowed their own personal values to infect the organization.

So how do you reconcile the differences between personal and organizational values? Here are the some important steps:

PERSONAL VALUES:
1. Take a sheet of paper and write down the five key values you use when you make decisions.

2. Now prioritize them. Which ones would you never compromise? Which ones might you change in the right context?

3.Ask a friend who knows you well to identify the five values they associate with your character.

4.Compare the two rankings. what are the differences? How would you explain them.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES:
1.Identify the top five values of your organization and compare them with your own values.

2.Can you reconcile any tensions between the two?

3.Which value set in the organization has more of a priority?

4.Are there systems in the organization that help you address the personal and organizational sets of values?

5.Have you ever witnessed anyone breaking rules by, for example, harassing staff or putting in a false expenses claim? What could you have done? How did that fit in with your values? What does the company policy say about it?