Why do we use a microphone in the logo for Ethical Houston? As a matter of fact – there has been much discussion about that among the organizers of our group. Initially we envisioned using a 3 legged stool (to represent moral, ethical and responsible) or a compass (to represent our moral direction). Here below is some of the discussion we had –
I like the microphone because as a smal business owner I feel that the context in which I operate has changed dramatically over the 12 years. It used to be that my ‘ethical’ decisions were between me and prayer and sometimes my family. But now, especially in the past 5 years, every decision I make is up for public review. There are regulations that force me to behave a certain way towards people who work for my company – and those regulations often present results that are different from what my inside moral boundaries would ask me to do. There are customers who aren’t right for my company, and that 6 years ago I could politely ‘fire’, but these days, I cannot because they may decide to air the decision on facebook. I must weigh every thing I do as if it is broadcast on twitter, facebook, CNN, the Houston Chronicle, Houston Business Journal, in the pulpit on Sunday morning… all at once, and additionally as if it is put in front of a government agency like the IRS, ICE, Texas Workforce for review.
This is I think a common experience for professionals, and perhaps even more so for younger professionals. My Dad used to say “don’t do anything you don’t want to discuss at the table with your family”. That still holds true. But today, I also have to be willing to live with a public discussion at a public table.
That’s why the image of the microphone sums it up for me. My compass is actually pretty good. It is making my compass public that is tough.
Allison Gower
nilknarf1940
Allison’s analysis of the stressors to a small business are right on. Regulations and access to media certainly make decision making more problematic. Small business can’t always hire the kind of advice to make those everyday decisions we have to make to keep the doors open, have happy and productive employees, provide a good product or service and hopefully make a reasonable profit. As a small business owner I can certainly relate to what she says. That’s why a forum such as this can be useful. We don’t hold ourselves up to be authorities on regulations and law but together we can provide support and spiritual guidance for one another.