That Slippery Slope: Four Examples of Stinking Thinking

You have probably heard of examples of behavior at work that seem unbelievable. Imagine a case where an employee in a landscaping business is found to have been ordering extra plants and other supplies from a vendor to use at their home and their families' homes. You think to yourself, and maybe have conversations with co-workers, "WHAT was she thinking?" It is an interesting question. Based on thought leaders, my own experience, and research results I offer the following to try to explain the seemingly inexplicable.

1. "I deserve some slack". This form of entitlement thinking is the "Hey, I've worked here for 13 years;I deserve some special consideration, after the way they have treated me!"

In this "stinking thinking" pattern, a person believes that he or she is due something extra. Maybe the person has felt underappreciated over time, or believes their compensation level is inadequate. Whatever the case, they convince themselves that it is okay for them to take something that is not theirs in order to make up for a slight they believe they have suffered.

2. "It isn't really much." A daisy here, a trowel there . . what is the difference? It does make a difference if the, "Oops, I accidentally took this trowel home" becomes, "Hey, I think I'll re-landscape my yard."

Whether it seems like it at the time or not, taking something that is not yours is theft. The concept of theft extends to theft of time. Time spent at work on personal tasks such as personal phone calls, e-mail and errands beyond the inconsequential is a form of theft. Would you want your child's teacher to spend classroom time on personal chores?

3. "I'll pay it back later." This stinking thinking can have to do with cash, such as the petty cash drawer or accounting entries, or time.

Imagine that someone arrives at work and discovers that they don't have any cash in their wallet because they forgot to go to the bank last night what with going to the grocery store, picking up the kids, and polishing off some homework for night school. The employee figures that they will just take a few bucks from the petty cash drawer to cover lunch from the lunch cart, and put back what they borrow tomorrow. Well, tomorrow never comes and the cash is never replaced. The intent is good, but the follow-up never happens.

4. "I'll never get caught!" The examples above are those of people who unintentionally take the first step on the slippery slope. This example is different. It is for the person who knows at the time that what they are about to do is wrong. They just figure that they are so smart that the world won't catch on to them. Well, sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong.

Believing you will never get caught is the first step in a web of deceit, and there isn't an easy way back. If you or someone you know has such an idea, squelch it from the beginning. The idea can't be good for you.

While you may not see yourself falling into any of these stinking thinking scenarios, is it exactly how the wrong things start. If you hear any of these phrases at your work place, stop the thinking it its tracks and get back on the ethical plane.

About the Author

Sally Rhys, MS, coaches and consults on business ethics. As the former Director, Ethics and Compliance at a $1.5B publicly traded company, her expertise will help you increase both your business knowledge and professionalism. Contact her at http://www.coachingforperspective.com

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