A Discussion on Ethics by Carla Werning

This morning in my inbox landed the Ethisphere Institute 2015 Most Ethical Companies list. This year’s 132 honorees span 21 countries from five continents and represent over 50 industries. In its ninth year, the list includes 15 nine-time honorees and 11 first-time honorees. It’s an impressive list – be sure to check it out here.

Around the office, we had the discussion as to what it might actually take to make this list. It’s a tough list to join in a world where we are sometimes forced to focus on the bottom line - at all costs. The article that caught my attention was highlighting the success of several well known Iowa-based companies from our local business journal. As we are from Iowa, of course we are on the list. Ethics are at the heart of who we all claim to be, right? Dictionary.com sites the definition of ethical as "1. Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct. 2. Being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession."

While the list is comprised of many of the companies we would expect to see like Microsoft, Kellogg Company and Ford Motor Company, the success we share with our own is noted in Rockwell Collins Inc., Deere & Co. and shows Iowa roots based in Principal Financial Group, and Voya Financial Inc., (formerly ING U.S.) which acquired Equitable of Iowa in 1997. Iowa-based companies set the bar high as it relates to ethics.

Having worked in business development in Iowa most of my professional career, and currently working for a Midwest based recruiting firm, I can tell you this with no uncertainty. It’s no question that my favorite part about my work is the daily witness to ethics in action.  It started by hardworking, strong and kind people that grew up right here in our home state. They are working hard to provide quality jobs, healthcare, and education for their employees and their families. Many of those business owners and entrepreneurs attended our incredible Iowa educational institutions. If they choose to leave for a short time to see the rest of the country, they almost all, at some point in time, find a way to reestablish the roots of Iowa that they have grown to love and respect. Partnering with businesses all over the country, the true barometer, is when a business asks if I can help them find employees with “Iowa work ethic.”

While making “the” list is very important, for the more than 120,000 farm workers, and the 1.4 million non-farm employees in Iowa, working hard, especially in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice is by and large just what we do here. We may only represent 2 to 4 spots on the list of 132 companies, but here in Iowa we walk the talk. Congrats to the aforementioned leaders. We commend you and we celebrate knowing that you represent us all.