Ethics with a Capital G The Golden Rule

“Ethics with a Capital ‘G’: The Golden Rule in Insurance Transactions” Presented by: Elise M. Farnham, CPCU, ARM, AIM, CPIW President, Illumine Consulting www. elisefarnham. com 770 -367 -3148 elisefarnham@gmail. com

Contents Explore the meaning of the Golden Rule Honor conflicting duties Deliver the promise of insurance Be fair with a sense of equity Learn new tools and techniques

What is the Golden Rule? v What best describes you? § I am ethical all the time. § I am ethical most of the time. § I am usually ethical. § I am unethical most of the time. § I am unethical all the time.

The Golden Rule is All Around Us It’s Everywhere! Religion Culture The Golden Rule Wealth Country Age Or Sex

Ethical Behavior A Standard of Behavior The Will to Conduct Oneself

Why the Golden Rule? How does it help navigate uncertainty? Provides a viable map Can it make winners of everyone? Everyone wins How does it avoid the nuances of philosophy? Understandable Are there other measures for treating Accepted by most people?

The Golden Rule in Business A Benefits of the Golden Rule Reduction in turnover B Fewer EEOC claims C Strong leaders are developed D Increased profitability

“Here’s my Golden Rule for a tarnished age: be fair with others but keep after them until they are fair with you. ” Alan Alda, Actor MAKING THE GOLDEN RULE PART OF EVERY DAY

“Knowledge will give you power, but character respect. ” -- Bruce Lee, Actor THE GOLDEN RULE AND CHARACTER

Character Attributes of Character Action Choice Success Limited

Gratitude Happiness Compassion

Definition or Descriptor WHAT IS GRATITUDE?

Expressing Gratitude v Recognize the good v Learn from the experiences of growth and change v Be kind, compassionate, forgiving at work and in your personal life v Safeguard those of importance to you § Family § Yourself § Your business, coworkers, clients

The Golden Rule and Compassion v Affective § “I feel for you” v Cognitive § “I understand you” v Motivational § “I want to help you”

Mental List Journal Letter Practicing Gratitude

“You can’t teach calculus to a chimpanzee. So just share your banana. ” --John Rachel, novelist, “Blinders Keepers” THE GOLDEN RULE & INTEGRITY

Golden Rule Decision-making v Choices determine your ethics § Not conditions v Wrong decisions have negative impact v Beware of ‘group-think’ v Decisions are evident through inaction v Ask others for help 1. Is it legal? 2. Is it balanced? 3. How will it make me feel about myself?

Overcoming Pressures v Maintain objectivity v Be truthful v Avoid the easy alternative v Honor all promises and commitments v Be prepared to be unpopular “When you get squeezed, whatever is in you will come out. ” …Anonymous

“The disciplined person is the person who can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. ” -- Richard Foster DISCIPLINE

The Problem of Power Obtain Power Lose Power Abuse Power

Pride and Sense of Worth Constructive Destructive v Exaggerated self-worth v Competitive v Requiring more of everything v Obsesses with self v Confident v Appropriate self-image v Caring of others

Prioritizing Core Values Family Integrity Work Friends Health

“Live is such a way that you would not be embarrassed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. ” -- Will Rogers, American humorist LIVING BY THE GOLDEN RULE

GR in Insurance Transactions v Take responsibility for your actions v Develop personal discipline § Time § Leveraging strengths § Set and keep goals § Emotions v Acknowledge weaknesses v Prioritize your values v Admit mistakes, ask forgiveness v Excel at financial management

Being Proactive v Treat others better than they treat you v Do more than your fair share v Help others who cannot help you v Do right when it is natural to do wrong v Keep your promises no matter how much it hurts

Practicing the Golden Rule People who go for the Gold

“The dynamic tension between daring and serving creates the conditions for superior service. ” Cheryl A. Bachelder, “Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others. ” THE SERVANT LEADER

Servant Leadership v Put others first v Service requires confidence v Be the first to serve v Forget about your position v Serve because of your concern for others

The person who goes the extra mile… v Cares more than others think is wise. v Risks more than others think is safe. v Dreams more than others think is practical. v Expects more than others think is possible. v Works more than others think is necessary. ” v --John Maxwell, Author

Take-Aways v What “squared” with you in this seminar? v What made you view something from a new angle in this seminar? v What new piece of information completed or “closed the circle for you? v List an action or a new approach you will now take because of what you learned today?

Resources v Addis, F. Scott. “The Attitude of Gratitude…Holidays 365 Days a Year. ” Rough Notes. 12/2014. Pgs. 66 -68. v Maxwell, John C. “Ethics 101. ” New York: Time Warner Books. 2003 v Patterson, James. “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas. ” Little, Brown.