The renewed frontier of moral competency
Morality aligns with society and workplaces focused on acting for a greater purpose. Based on core virtues, we need to develop our moral competency – sooner rather than later.
Should we talk about morality more? I believe so.
Morality conjures thoughts of self-righteousness and maybe high-mindedness. Like many ideals, we may need to re-center on what morality means. Morality simply produces an outcome of trust. Foundational elements to any society are the norms that bind us together for a greater good. Morality is not self-indulged. Instead, it is about what John Locke described as the freedom to do what we ought. It is an ethic of care. A free society and workplace require morality, principles that deliver justice, responsibility, and a clear sense for the common good rather than self-interest.
Have we lost our morality? I believe so.
Too many have pursued actions to keep personal power rather than seek what is better for society. Too many are pursuing self-interests rather than achieving better community or workplace outcomes. It does not take long to write a list of where morality does not exist right now. I believe a good exercise is writing this list and sharing it with a larger group to listen, explore, and learn. As vital as it is to regain our morality mission, it's equally important to discover what we are losing by not having it.
How can we regain our morality? It takes all of us.
Most agree the four core virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, and courage. Prudence includes awareness of moral dilemmas and then exercising sound judgment in the actions pursued. Justice enables prudence through a sensitivity to do what is ethical, and temperance keeps our motivations grounded in avoiding harm and doing what is right. Courage delivers the willpower to place our virtues into action; it serves as our soul's backbone.
The four core virtues encompass societal awareness and self-awareness to discern what is right and ethical to do. Courage brings our virtues to life by how we choose to act. Each virtue builds a moral competency. Virtues restore and enhance our morality.
Is it time to develop our moral competencies? Simply yes.
The core virtues can be developed through training, conversations, and examples. Society needs morality, as do corporations. We need to build our moral capacity so we can move forward in a better manner than before. We are teetering on the brink of giving up our freedom to do what is best for the many instead of a few.
Our time is now to restore morality in our society and workplaces. It is not a religious fervor but a moral necessity. Morality built our democratic system. While never perfect, much of the work has tried to do what is right and virtuous. If leaders want a culture of trust, it begins with morality.
References
Sacks, J. (2020). Morality: Restoring the common good in divided times. Basic Books.
Morales-Sánchez, R., & Cabello-Medina, C. (2013). The role of four universal moral competencies in ethical decision-making. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(4), 717–734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1817-9