South Africa faces a potential increase in the number of people who find it acceptable to act in an unethical way. A recent survey on business ethics saw an increase in the number of people who observed misconduct from 16% to 25%. However, almost half the number of people who witnessed the conduct did not report it.
 
Dr Renate Scherrer, MD of JvR Consulting Psychologists, says “good people” can make “poor ethical decisions”.  Her firm is part of the JvR Africa Group of companies, and focuses on human assessment and development.
 
She says good people are upstanding citizens with a strong value set, who do not have any intent to defraud or harm anyone.
 
Conforming to the norm
She says in an environment where unethical behaviour is almost “rewarded” people tend to conform to the norm. They fear losing their jobs and then start rationalising why they too, make poor ethical decisions.
 
In South Africa people constantly have to adapt to change and they are almost daily fighting for survival. In such an environment good people may succumb to external pressure and act in a way that is counter to the way they truly are.
 
Unrealistic targets
People may also find themselves in a position where the targets set by management is clearly unrealistic. Many then find creative ways, or they take shortcuts, to achieve these targets.
 
This conduct, in the long term, will be harmful to the company and even to its customers or stakeholders. “If the example is set by the leaders of an organisation, it becomes very difficult for the underlings to object to it. They then tend to rather follow the leaders.”

​Scherrer says people who find themselves in an environment where they are constantly forced to make “poor ethical decisions” must seek help.
 
“Discuss your ethical dilemma with someone you trust. It does not have to be someone within the company, if it is the norm to make poor ethical decisions.”
 
Leaders have the responsibility to continuously remind employees of what is considered “unethical decisions”. It is vital to have a whistle blowing policy for people who observe unethical conduct to report it.
 
“Talk about the values of the company. It is crucial to have systems and processes in place which aims at improving and rewarding ethical behaviour.”
 
Lack of accountability
In many instances unethical behaviour spreads like a cancer, because of a lack of accountability. 
 
Scherrer says there has to be “personal consequences” for acting in an unethical manner. The link between the harm done and an unethical decision must be clear for all to see.
An environment where there are no consequences it leads to resentment and even to disillusionment with the system.
 
If people see there are consequences to poor ethical decisions, they will be more likely to report behaviour that is unacceptable. However, they may feel vulnerable and exposed when no action is taken.
 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Idéle Prinsloo, 082 573 9219, idele@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za
 
ABOUT JvR Africa Group:
JvR Africa Group of companies consists of JvR Psychometrics, JvR Consulting Psychologists, JvR Academy, and JvR Safety. With it’s head office is situated in Johannesburg; the group conducts business nationally and across Sub-Saharan Africa. They work with test developers, consultants and academic institutions all over the world and supports a range of development opportunities and hosts events around People Development in Africa, a cause they feel is extremely important to the future of our continent.
 
For more information on JvR Africa Group please visit:
Website:  https://jvrafricagroup.co.za/
LinkedIn: JvR Africa Group
Facebook: The JvR Africa Group - People Development in Africa
Twitter: JvR Africa Group
YouTube:  The JvR Africa Group

Author: Dr Jopie de Beer, CEO of JvR Africa Group
 
In South Africa, we have been forced to “adapt or die”, either you become used to the breaking news of corruption, crime, lies and deceit, or you will crumble and collapse under the continuous onslaught of bad news, human fallibility, doubtful integrity and evil intent.
 
Perceptions that the fabric of society is collapsing are rife, while values and integrity do not seem to exist anymore. It is incomprehensible that human beings can regress to such an extent that to lie, steal, murder and manipulate others become the new normal. This has resulted in many seeking to blame a “third force” - whoever and whatever that may be.
 
However, much of this can be taken back to bad leadership.
 
The dark triad
An interesting phenomenon in leadership and politics originates from a book by Niccolo Machiavelli that was published in 1532 titled “The Prince”. Today his name is used to describe one of three distinct types of personalities that are jointly referred to as the “dark triad”. In this triad are included Machiavellian-, Psychopathic- and Narcissistic personality traits.
 
Although much more complex, those with Psychopathic tendencies tend to have no conscience as to the impact of their actions. Narcissists are driven by the need to be centre stage and admired/revered by everybody. Those with Machiavellian tendencies are characterised by scheming and manipulating others to ensure position and power.
 
Machiavelli described the kind of person he found in politics all those decades ago as someone who would stop at nothing to ensure their own power. Believing that “all is fair in love and war” they would strategically work to establish their control over everything and everybody. They regard it as just “part of the job” to eliminate rivals, lie, plant false information, create innuendo and manipulate them whilst building their own coalitions of like-minded people. They see no reason to feel guilty as this is what they regard leadership to be.
 
Those who show Machiavellian traits can also be seen as charming, persuasive and even empathetic.  Their ability to “read” others is at the core of their ability to manipulate. They use the needs or weaknesses of others to their advantage, and if they can get to the “soft underbelly” of friends, colleagues or competitors, it provides them with the kind of power they enjoy. Acting with seeming morality is only important if it serves the ultimate purpose of impressing or manipulating others.
 
Choose well
The damage created by a Machiavellian leader is significant- particularly if the behaviour is allowed to play out without challenge or consequence. Using a combination of some truth, half-truths, false information and manipulation, they can create such doubt and suspicion that their opposition may pitch against each other rather than confront the leader.
 
Those who have the courage to go against them will know how frightening it is. It is important to recognise that no amount of power, money, property, position or admiration is ever enough for these individuals. Note also that their own conscience will not curb their behaviour because they feel very little- or nothing, for others.
 
All of the above is in stark contrast with what research and literature describe as required from 21st century leadership where democracy, integrity, honesty, humility and respect align closely with adherence to laws and good governance.
 
We must make sure to choose our leaders very well. Be careful of charisma and appearance, rather look below the surface and listen carefully to the feedback from those few brave individuals who see dark behaviour for what it is. Give particular attention to their past behaviour in as much as it predicts future actions. Dark leaders can destroy what may have been built up over many years.
 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Idéle Prinsloo, 082 573 9219, idele@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za
 
ABOUT JvR Africa Group:
JvR Africa Group of companies consists of JvR Psychometrics, JvR Consulting Psychologists, JvR Academy, and JvR Safety. With its head office situated in Johannesburg, the group conducts business nationally and across Sub-Saharan Africa. The group works with test developers, consultants and academic institutions all over the world, supports a range of development opportunities, and hosts events around People Development in Africa -  a cause they feel is extremely important to the future of our continent.
 
For more information on JvR Africa Group please visit:
Website:  https://jvrafricagroup.co.za/
LinkedIn: JvR Africa Group
Facebook: The JvR Africa Group - People Development in Africa
Twitter: JvR Africa Group
YouTube:  The JvR Africa Group