The Ethics and Integrity Imperative

By: Dr. David Hoch, CMAA

As an athletic administrator, you have countless tasks and responsibilities associated with the position. Every day is unique and you are extremely busy. It takes good time management skills, effort, knowledge and experience to be effective. But even with all the skills, abilities and work that an individual contributes, the most crucial aspects are ethics and integrity.

To earn the Certified Athletic Administrator or Certified Master Athletic Administrator certifications, one has to read and sign the NIAAA Code of Ethics. But signing the code is really only the first simple step or perhaps for some it may merely represent a mindless requirement.

A signature on a document does not necessarily ensure that an individual will act in an ethical manner or with integrity. To embrace and follow the principles of the code, however, is an entirely separate and different matter. As with many aspects of life, actions often speak louder than words and this also would include written documents and statements.

Since ethics and integrity are so important for an athletic administrator to perform the responsibilities of the position, it necessary for one to understand what is involved with each one. These qualities are not abstract terms or concepts, but rather they exist as standards or expectations of the highest level in society and not merely within the profession.

In extremely simple terms, ethics means that you will do what is right as opposed to choosing what is wrong. While this is seemingly a very simple concept and one which should easily be understood, the actual implementation or usage sometimes may get a little cloudy or twisted for some. The distinction between right and wrong may not be clear or an easy choice.

In addition, integrity deals with the basic principle of honesty. As with ethics, it is a relatively simple, straight-forward concept. It means that you should be a person of your word and your promise should be absolute. And of course, dependability and commitment also have a real connection to integrity and honesty.

If both ethics and integrity are so simple and straight-forward, why do some have problems with them? The following examples illustrate some of the questionable situations or thoughts involved with these two qualities.

• Have you heard the statement, "Well, everyone does it?" This can apply to finding and using a loophole in a regulation or rule, or perhaps misrepresenting or exaggerating facts. Because others do something wrong, it doesn't make it ok. Absolutely, not!
• There is a rhetorical question which can be debated in which an individual is asked, if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around, is there any sound? Putting this in context with your position and ethics, is it ok if no one is aware of your unethical or dishonest actions or behavior and you aren't caught? Hardly.
• For some, it may be normal to 'borrow' materials from a colleague. This might include using a document, form or other intellectual materials. Even if this practice is widespread, using someone else's work without giving credit is plagiarism. And this practice is dishonest.
• If you do something for your personal benefit or advancement in your position, and this is not restricted to monetary gain, it is inappropriate and hence unethical. In business or politics, these issues are covered by the concept of conflict of interest.
• Hidden agendas also pose another threat to one's integrity and ethical compass. Transparent, above-board and factual approaches always have to be the standard practice as an athletic administrator. Those who use deceit for self-serving reasons are not acting in an ethical manner.
• When one asks for a favor or to overlook a rule or regulation, this is preferential treatment. To expect special consideration because "we are friends' is unethical. The compliance with rules and regulations has to be consistent and fair to all.

However, the issue of professional ethics and integrity also goes beyond your own direct actions or behavior. In addition, there is a school of thought that as a leader of an athletic department or program, you could be complicit if those working for you - coaches for example - do something unethical and you do not take preventative or corrective action.

As the athletic administrator, you are, as with other duties and tasks, responsible for the entire program just as the principal and superintendent are respectively ultimately in charge of the school and district. While ensuring the highest ethical and integrity standards may be an awesome obligation, it is one which must be taken seriously and cannot be overlooked.

The real question, however, is can someone with faulty ethics and questionable integrity change? One has to hope that individuals can change and improve or is one's experience and basic character ingrained and set for life? It is important to consider that in order to make a change, one also has to be receptive and willing to take concrete, positive, corrective steps.

Therefore, all professionals - including colleagues and administrators - have a part to play with the ethics and integrity within the school's athletic program.

• Don't ignore unethical actions or decisions involving questionable integrity. Confronting a colleague, coach or even an administrator takes courage and it usually won't be easy. However, it has to be done or you become part of the problem by being complicit.
• Use teachable moments, much in the same manner as is done with athletes, when situations arise dealing with ethics and integrity. Take care not to identity the individuals involved and the actual details of the problem, but do use the opportunity to educate your staff.
• Spend time in pre-season coaches' meetings and in periodic e-mail memos to explain the aspects of ethical behavior and operating under the highest integrity. In the corporate world and in society, for example, commonly accepted norms and standards do change over time. Therefore, coaches and assistants may need a little guidance and reminders to operate as a professional within your program.
• Don't forget to also explain to the parents of your athletes and community members that ethics and integrity are the fundamental ingredients of your program. This effort should go hand-in-hand with your work to explain the concept of education-based athletics.
• Recognize individuals and teams that do things in the right manner and who are honest. In many districts, there are ethics awards associated with student performance and academics. Since athletics should be an integral part of the educational offerings, it would be logical to also have awards for ethics in athletics.

Ethics and Integrity have to be the bedrock or operational foundation for all athletic administrators. Without these two qualities, trust and respect from colleagues and constituents of your program simply will not exist. And without trust and respect, you have nothing, no basis to function in your position. It is that basic and important.