So you've been asked a question by a council member that stops you in your tracks because you know it's an ethically-loaded question. Or maybe it's a complex situation and you just know that the wrong answer could damage your integrity.
The advice when you find yourself between this rock and hard place: Always have at the ready a delaying response that buys you some time to consider your answer. (It can be something as simple as "That's an interesting request. I may need to seek the advice of a colleague on that one.") Your ultimate response needs to be one that preserves your integrity while simultaneously explaining why you can't answer affirmatively to a request that crosses the ethical line.
We heard this and other great pieces of advice at today's luncheon for women in local government management. Led by moderator Martha Perego, panelists Pam Brenner, Charlene Stevens, and Kay James used their experiences on ICMA's Committee on Professional Conduct to encourage their colleagues to know and live ICMA's code of ethics and to
-- do the right thing even when it's out of your comfort zone (i.e., your position may be at risk)
-- set the ethical tone and live it in your daily work
-- when in doubt, seek out the advice of colleagues and ICMA's ethics staff
-- create an organizational culture where people can SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER.
What tips do you have for establishing an organizational culture where everyone is comfortable questioning decisions that appear to be violating the code of ethics? How do you make room in your organization for the probing questions, or for the person who says, "I think you're doing something wrong"? How do you take advantage of teachable moments? What's YOUR advice?