Ethics In The Workplace

Recently, I was offered an opportunity in my workplace to be apart of a new assignment at work. While this assignment doesn't consist of a monetary increase in pay, it is beneficial for employees involved as it boosts the chances for growth within the company. Initially, I was very skeptical about the position for several reasons. For one, I wasn't as knowledgeable about the subject as some of the other employees who would be apart of the assignment and two I was feeling that I could receive negative feedback from my peers, as I am fairly new with the company. Ultimately, I didn't let my lack of knowledge deviate me from learning more and accepted the offer, although I was still uneasy about the reactions of my peers. But why? Shouldn't I solely be concerned about myself and how I would be impacted and reject any negativity associated with my decision?

Often, we are presented with these various decisions throughout our career, but we should take more than just ourselves into consideration. The feeling or act of "stepping on toes" within the workplace may reap short-term benefits, but won't achieve long-term goals. Although this wasn't necessarily an issue in my situation, within the last couple months this has been a problem for some of my colleagues with more seniority. When I met with my supervisor, to discuss my concerns, I let her know my position and she explained to me why she chose me for the opportunity in comparison to some of our other team members/ I was relieved to know that my hard work had not gone unnoticed and felt appreciated. Moreover, acting ethically, possessing leadership, and having genuine interest in your work place does not go unnoticed , especially when your conducting yourself with morals instead of a crab-bucket mentality.

Trust No One?

Trust is a very important factor in any kind of relationship whether it be intimate, friends, family, or even co-workers. It's evident that we all expect and yearn for trust from our peers as an unwritten, sacred bond. When people break such a bond, we view them in a different way than we once did before. Some people are harder to forgive than others, but ultimately the same level of trust can never be restored to its original state. So what does this mean? Should we really trust no one and live a life of secrecy or never reveal too much?

While trust is hard to both gain and earn, we can't live our lives trust-less. Learning proper techniques and strategies as a person as to who we can trust and who to not is something that most people struggle with. Although there will be individuals who break our trust, this should not be a reflection of everyone, but merely be an eye-opening experience to those who may not mean us any good. Life experience will show you who is trustworthy, though one can never be 100% sure about any one person in general. Just as sure as we think we know someone, they can disappoint us in ways we thought unimaginable. One of the best things to keep in the back of your conscious is to be cautious and even when someone breaks their trust with you, don't reciprocate the behavior. Learn from the experience and try to always make the best and wisest decision possible.

Let It Go

As I grow older, I have to learned, to take many things with a grain of salt. That being said, learning to forgive people and situations is an inevitable portion to the growing up process. Although I have always been an emotionally involved person, when I was child, I often let my emotions get the best of me. Oddly enough, I have always been a forgiving person and still willing to lend a hand to those in need, even when we were not on the greatest terms.

As I continue to proceed into my womanhood, I have learned to forgive in a different way, one that privileges me with peace and joy. When I was younger I forgave people because it was the "Christian thing to do" or the "right thing to do." While I still hold these values, I am learning to forgive for myself, so the burden doesn't become a permanent part of my everyday mental and emotional posture. When you can't forgive the perpetuating thought of how someone mistreated you, the thought lingers much like a contagious sickness. And just like any other sickness if you don't treat it, it will only continue to become worst over time. I have found that when someone has done me wrong, it is not them who suffers from remorse, but me who suffers from the constant focus on the issue.
By no means is this an easy thing to do, it takes time, especially when you've been hurt by someone who you've called a friend, family, or even a spouse. This takes will power and strength that is much more delicate than erratic retaliation to hurt the other person/people. You have to rise above your initial reaction, take time to think, and regroup. While there are some things that appear to be the most unforgiveable, in due time you still have to make the choice to overcome it.

Let It Go.