How do we better understand ethical conduct in ourselves, others, and in the systems in which we live and work? A starting point is ethical sensitivity and mindfulness, according to Michael Carroll and Elizabeth Shaw, from their important book, Ethical Maturity in the Helping Professions: Making Difficult Life and Work Decisions. 

To be ethically sensitive means being self-aware of our intentions in all our relationships. We need to ask ourselves – “what is my moral compass? How can I stay true to my values, and how I want to show up in the world.”

Ethical sensitivity also means being mindful of what harm looks like for ourselves and others in the environments in which we operate. The generalized ethos of “do no harm” is valuable, and a deeper reflective stance is essential so we can take responsibility for our behaviors during complex situations

Whatever the unethical behavior, there is most often a lack of self-awareness around the consequences of what we say and do, particularly under extreme pressure. To become more ethically sensitive means consistently asking ourselves – “If I say or do this, what will be the impact of my behavior on others and the organization?”