Personal Code of Ethics

Developing my personal code of ethics is important because such a code will serve as
my moral compass in my dealings with people, whether in personal or in business or
professional matters (Kipnis & South, 2000). The code of ethics will also enable me to
navigate the various ethical dilemmas I am likely to encounter in the course of my life. As I
work through the process of developing my personal code of ethics, I hope to clarify the
ethical virtues I consider most important and commit myself to excelling at them.
Several of my life experiences have a played a role in influencing my character traits
and in inspiring me to aspire to certain traits. The most important of these life experiences are
my upbringing and religion. Having been raised by disciplinarian parents who did not
condone indiscipline helped me develop such values as honesty. Similarly, my being brought
up in a devout Christian family helped me embrace, from an early age, several virtues like
compassion and fairness.
While there are several virtues, the ones I consider most important are courage,
honesty, compassion, generosity, fairness, and prudence. It is worth pointing that I possess all
these virtues already, although I need to put more effort into practising them. To me, courage
is being daring enough to go where others have not. This virtue is important because I believe
great things are accomplished only when people dare to take the unbeaten path. Compassion
is being concerned about the misfortunes or sufferings of others (Vaughn, 2019). I believe
compassion is important because without it, no one would be moved to tackle the many
problems that face humanity, like poverty. Honesty is about being truthful in my interactions
with others. I believe honesty is important because it makes it possible to earn the trust of
others. Generosity is about being kind and compassionate enough to share with others what I

PERSONAL CODE OF ETHICS 3
have. Generosity is important to me because I believe there are more blessings in giving than
in receiving.
Fairness is about being just. This virtue is important because I believe in doing to
others what I would like done to me. Finally, prudence is about approaching matters with
caution. I believe this virtue is important because acting too hurriedly could land one into
trouble or result in regrets.
I will adhere to my code of ethics by practising these virtues in all situations. That, the
virtues will become my second nature such that I will not struggle to remember them
whenever I am confronted by an ethical dilemma. Specifically, I commit to the following:
 I will dare to commit to things no one or few people have committed to before.
 I will conduct myself more honestly in my personal and business dealings.
 I will do something about the plight of the less fortunate in society whenever I am in a
position to.
 I will share more generously even when I think I do not have enough to share.
 In all situations, I will treat others the way I would like them to treat me if I were in a
similar situation.
 I will give more thought to my intended actions.

PERSONAL CODE OF ETHICS 4

References

Kipnis, K., & South, D. (2000). Personal Values & Professional Ethics. Journal of Forestry,
98(7), 11-14.
Vaughn, L. (2019). Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning, Theory, and Contemporay Issues. New
York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.