Power versus Ethics

A conversation about ethics should be the logical starting point for resolving a dilemma. But if it’s done carelessly or thoughtlessly, it could also be the beginning of the end of your relationship with this person. And the stakes are even higher when “this person” is your boss. Always keep in mind that you run a high risk of offending the other person when you initiate a discussion about ethics, and consequently jeopardizing your working relationship along with your job security.

We know intuitively that however we couch our language or tiptoe around the point, the core message of a discussion about ethics will come through loud and clear: “I have a problem with your behavior, and I’m talking to you because I want you to help me make this problem go away.”

Though you may not like it, your success on the job largely depends on the success of your interpersonal relationship with your boss. If you work well together, great; but if you don’t, you are probably both miserable.

You cannot change the fundamental power relationship with your supervisor; it’s just a simple reality. The good news, though, is that the interpersonal dimension of your relationship is elastic. You can improve it by changing how you talk to, treat, and work with each other.

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