The surprising source for my work ethics!
Excerpt: How our parents influence our attitude towards life and work. ow our ethics and integrity is shaped by our upbringing.
This article took me down memory lane to understand where I have taken some of my everyday behaviour at work and in life from.
Business ethics, ethics, values, trust, responsibility
- My dad is known for his strong integrity. He wouldn’t accept a bribe or any favour even if he would lose his job for not doing so.
- Both parents are what you can tell as ‘Karma Yogis’. Individuals for whom right work done well is itself a form of prayer.
- A high level of discipline – there is no laziness and fooling around. Days begin early, are packed with duties, prayers and mandatory time with family.
- A ‘we have enough’ attitude towards money – never in the rat race to amass more wealth, yet making sure that every little wish of ours is fulfilled.
- A high level of altruism and philanthropic pursuits – anyone in help is never turned away
Now, how have the kids (3 brothers) turned out?
- We are all known for being dependable and trustworthy. We are entrusted with bigger tasks and responsibilities at work everyday, helping us grow faster
- We are all early risers and pursue multiple things from the word go – fitness, music, reading, devotion and household duties
- We all help out our spouses at home, effectively sharing the household work and taking care of the kids
- Our rise at our workplaces has only been on the basis of merit. No sycophancy, no influences. Where we have received superiors who were not merit-driven, we were stalled.
- We run philanthropic institutions such as www.happinessmappers.org. Spreading happiness and helping less privileged folks is a way of life. We all love helping people have better lives, be it at work or outside.
- We are sometimes taken for a ride sometimes because of our trusting natures. However, we still continue to trust because that is a better way to live!
- There is a high focus on ensuring that enough time is spent with the family. Work will always be there. Family is where you are irreplaceable.
It is amazing how we have been positively influenced by the behaviour of our parents.
Like eager sponges, we just absorbed the mindset, the behaviour and along with it, the ethics.