• Hire based upon the belief and values system of the company. Your ethics policy should be an important part of the job interview. No one should become part of the team who cannot buy into the values.

• Misconduct based upon a violation of the firm's ethics policy should be reason for placing an employee on probation or may lead to termination. Do not let violations slide.

A scientist from the University of Michigan created a listing of what he considered to be the 10 basic dangers to our society. First on his list was a nuclear war or accident. Second was a worldwide epidemic, disease, famine or depression. The third danger on his list was the quality of management and leadership of our institutions. In discussing this third component of the study, Warren Bennis, a well-known management consultant, suggests that we need leaders who have integrity and are anchors in our lives. Ethical leadership provides this guiding purpose to the organization.

Maintaining a consistent standard of ethical behavior is important to any firm's image and reputation and is something that should be addressed long before a sensitive situation arises with a customer or employee.

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Gary Williams is affiliated with the BYU Center for Entrepreneurship. He can be reached via e-mail at cfe@byu.edu.