The definition of Moral Compass: An internalized set of values and objectives that guide a person with regard to ethical behavior and decision-making.
Just like all of you I’ve worked for a few bosses, companies and individuals that didn’t have the right moral compass. The hardest part of it is knowing when to move on to another career or different path in life because your partner, friend, family member or just someone you come across in business was toxic and was someone you didn’t want to be associated with. Once you go through this once or twice in life you see it like a train wreck that is about to happen and at times you try to tell your friend, partner, family members or business associates what they are walking into. Most of the time you say your peace and try your best to support them without getting yourself involved and other times you have to part ways until they figure it out.
I have a friend I’ve know since 2011 and when I meet him I knew he was a good human, business professional and a good friend. The problem was, he was partnered up with a shady professional that was using him, not paying him, selling him the dream and at the same time had no ethics at all: His is moral compass was horrible. At the end of 2014 I cut all ties with him, wished him well and we reconnected in early 2017 at a networking event.
His moral compass was always good, he just hung around the wrong people in business and he just didn’t see the train wreck until he rock bottom. Now he’s a successful business professional, associated with only positive, giving, pay it forward professionals and since we connected in early 2017 we’ve done a lot together. I am very bless to have him as my friend, mentor and someone I can always count on.
To sum it up, surround yourself around positive, hard working, morally ethical professionals because you are who you hang around with and as you all know the business world is very small. If you see a friend or business professional walking into that train wreck, try your best to steer them away and if not use tough love: cut all ties with them and reconnect once they clear that wreck.
Carpe Diem~