A discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity, and values

I learned to use some interesting words in college: erudite, efficacious, egress, words I like but don't use every day. The most important word I learned to use was relatively.

For example, I was a photographer for the school. I thought film was expensive, but, if you have to rent a helicopter to take pictures inside the Grand Canyon , film is – relatively – inexpensive.

See how it works? It's a matter of relationships. Part of learning, part of being wise, part of making right choices and acting with integrity is recognizing the relationship between things, and setting priorities based on those relationships.

But don't confuse this with rationalization. Cheating on a test is wrong, but, you may say, it's not as bad as robbing a bank, so it's relatively minor to cheat on a test. Or, you may say, stealing office supplies is a crime, but it's not as bad as creative but improper accounting practices that bilk companies out of millions.

But don't fall for that. Personal integrity leaves relatively little room for rationalization.