Yes, no, maybe so: how do you create a more ethical work environment?

• Author: Wilson, Ethan
• Position: ETHICS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Creating and maintaining relationships and working well with others are as important in a legislature as they are in any workplace. Personal performance can suffer if we are not getting along with those around us. A lack of communication, consideration and respect for others brings down everyone's effectiveness. Create a more productive and ethical work environment by practicing these basic, yet essential, principles.

Lend a hand.

Not everyone has the same skills as you, so offer your expertise to your coworkers and let them know you are there to help--and not just when asked. Likewise, drawing on your coworkers' bank of expertise will help you gain new skills and improve your overall performance. Resources are used most efficiently when colleagues communicate and collaborate.

Learn from mistakes.

This is critical to improving your performance and developing a work environment in which people can truly evolve and grow. Too often, the same mistakes are made again and again. Break that cycle by figuring out what went wrong and why it happened, developing possible solutions and making appropriate changes.

Practice healthy habits.

This might be the toughest suggestion to carry out, but if you talk about improving the ethical culture in your workplace, you'd better start with yourself. Practice what you preach. Ask for help when you need it...