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INTERNET GRANDFATHERŽ
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Fairness I've written often about the benefits of kindness, courtesy and consideration. I've emphasized that these traits cost nothing and bring great rewards, both to the giver and the recipient. I recently read a magazine article that puts these issues into a business context. The article discusses fairness to employees and notes that employment decisions, such as compensation, promotion and termination, will be better received if the process by which the decisions were reached is perceived as fair. Fairness is sometimes difficult to define. Fairness, or justice, or equity, proceeds from moral principles. Such principles can differ widely form person to person. Sometimes our definitions of fairness can change as we age, sometimes as our situation changes, sometimes as our views of other people change. I've not been able to find a universally agreed basis to judge fairness. However, this magazine article reminded me that when we think about fairness we must think not only of fairness of result, we must remember fairness of process. That is, the delivery of decisions with kindness, courtesy and consideration will create the perception of fairness even when the decisions are unpleasant. The article notes that many of the recent business scandals have resulted from ignoring process fairness. Where employees are instructed only as to outcome, without reference to method, they are more likely to adopt improper methods. On the other hand, when method is emphasized, not only will the likelihood of scandal be avoided, better results are likely to follow. People are more enthusiastic and do better work when they believe they are part of a fair system, are working with fair methods, with honest methods. This notion of fair process is important to us all, whether we're the decision-makers or the recipients of decisions. The study the magazine wrote about teaches that people who believe themselves to be participating in a fair process are more likely to accept poor results for themselves, compared to others. Conversely, people who believe the process is unfair are unlikely to accept the results, even when favorable to themselves. This article's description of fairness of process is but another way to describe being nice to others, being considerate. Making people feel good about themselves and about what they're doing is part of kindness. Be nice to others, treat them fairly and make them understand that they're being treated fairly, and you'll achieve better results. And we'll all feel better about ourselves when we act in this way. 3-27-06 2006 Archives 2005 Archives 2004 Archives 2003 Archives 2002 Archives 2001 Archives
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