Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Penny Milner-Smyth CEEEC 2019 | Opatija | Croatia
Neuroscience and ethicsNeuroznanost i etika
Why good people do bad things at work
Engaging workplace integrity
Greetings from South Africa
Sanibonani zonkeHi everyone
(I see all of you)
Yebo, sanibonaniYes, hi
(We see you too)
I greet you in the isiZulu language spoken in my home province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
About Ethicalways
Penny Milner-Smyth | South Africa
Compliance Association currently offered in 46
countries
Author of the Specialist Certificate in Anti-Corruption accredited by
the International
MA Research Psychology (Neuropsychology)
Registered Master HR Practitioner (SABPP)
Member of The Ethics Institute (South Africa)
Business Ethics Network Africa
Board Member: Ethics Institute Zimbabwe
25 years’ experience in-house HR executive
20 years + experience in development of ethical workplace cultures
Speaker and writer on employee ethics and engagement and anti-corruption
Introduction | uvod
This is a talk about why good people do bad things at
work
Insights from neuroscience
To
understand
behaviour
we must
understand
how the
brain works
Brain myths and facts
Myths | Mitovi
• We only use a small part of our brains
• Our brain has unlimited capacity
• We are adults when we are 18 years old
Facts | Činjenicama
• We use our whole brain all of the time
• Important parts of our brain have very limited capacity
• We are only fully mature around 32 years
Three parts of brain of special interest to a discussion of good judgement
Pre-Frontal Cortex
Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Limbic System
Pre-Frontal Cortex
Insight
Judgement
Evaluation
Inhibition
Self-awareness
Limbic System
including the amygdala
Attention
Threats
Memory
In the brain, what are the experiences that create cognitive chaos or cognitive
order?
Ambiguity
Unpredictability
Certainty
Predictability
The role of policies and procedures
Ensure fairness and consistency
Reduce ambiguity
Cater for fair and just decisions
Social isolation
Physical pain vs psychological pain
Belonging and inclusion
Disrespect and humiliation
So fundamental a human need that the emotion aroused by humiliation makes
rational action near impossible
Esteem, dignity and respect
So fundamental a human need that the emotion aroused by humiliation makes
rational action near impossible
Fairness
• Raising expectations
• Favouritism
• Not giving honest feedback
• Lack of recognition
Managing expectations, performance and reward
Autonomy
Psychological safety
Does the workplacedevelop honesty?
Impact of socio-economic factors
Burden of dependency
Are choices always between right and wrong?
The role of controls
Three options of response to psychological threat
• Fight
• Flight
• Freeze
Positive impact
Negative impact
Summary: What helps and what hinders rational thinking at work
Unpredictability
Social isolation
Disrespect
Humiliation
Unfairness
Indignity
Powerlessness
Certainty
Belonging
Inclusion
Status
Self-esteem
Fairness
Dignity
Respect
Autonomy
Does crime pay…in the brain?
At a physical level the brain finds decency much more rewarding
than deception
Let’s put the moral back into morale.
Worst self
Best selfSusceptible to
doing bad
Suggestible to doing good
Did you know that the humble bee can stop a herd of elephants in their tracks? Read this inspiring true story with implications for compliance professionals here
Thank you
Please connect with me
+27 82 6531140
@pjmilnersmyth
Ethicalways
@ethicalways
