I’m a heart surgeon.
I see this happen. Man has chest pain. Goes to the doctor. Is advised some tests. The results arrive. Doctor scares patient to within an inch of his life, recommends major surgery as his only option. Terrified patient agrees to have the procedure.
Unfortunately, many times, the fears are exaggerated and advice doesn’t fit ‘best practice’ guidelines. Patient is too scared to listen to contrarian second opinions.
I’m an infopreneur and online marketer.
I see this happen too. Beginner hopes to launch an online business. Goes to a ‘guru’. Is convinced he needs high-end coaching or consulting. As the first step, is sold an expensive course or homestudy. Newbie digs deep into her credit to meet the bill.
Unfortunately, many times, the material is far too advanced for the beginner to put to good use. Having made the investment, and not profited from it, she figures the fault is hers.
I’m a social entrepreneur.
I also see this. Non-profit runs an appealing campaign to raise funds. Pulls at heart-strings. Launches a hard-sell donation drive. Pushes all emotional triggers to get contributions.
Unfortunately, many times, most of the donations are used to fund the campaign itself - and very little reaches the beneficiary of the drive. Donors are often blissfully unaware of this.
Question:
As people with influence, shouldn’t they (heart surgeons, infopreneurs, marketers, non-profit managers) be held to a HIGHER ethical standard than the rest?
The question applies to everyone with influence. Yes, bloggers too.
What do you think?
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4 Comments Received
December 10th, 2007 @3:31 am
Dr. Mani
I have a philosophical disagreement with holding any group of people to a different level of ethical standards. To me that implies, the value of that group to the society at large is somehow different from a different group.
If a heart surgeon has to be held to a ‘higher’ ethical standard, why not an engineer- in my opinion, an engineer impacts a larger number of people by a ’shoddy’ design or construction while a surgeopn impacts the patient and his immediate family.
In my opinion everubody should be held to a high ethical standards- no gradation between professions.
Sankar
December 10th, 2007 @4:50 am
Sankar, I guess I didn’t phrase that correctly.
What I meant was whether we should hold people with influence to higher ethical standards, regardless of what their profession or calling might be.
Because influential folks tend to be followed by a larger group who is more willing and ready to accept things they say and do without question.
Hope that clarifies my question a bit. Sorry for not expressing it better.
All success
Dr.Mani
December 10th, 2007 @3:16 pm
Those in the influence business face an inherent conflict of interest. They profit from their influence, while others (hopefully) benefit from their influence at the same time.
The problem comes when the professional influencer puts their own personal gain above their client’s, as in your example. This is using one’s expertise to intentionally put another at a disadvantage and then turn that disadvantage into unfair deal.
This is “influencer evil” as far as I’m concerned, and all of us in fields of influence should be holding ourselves and each other to the very highest standards of ethics.
Thanks for your post.
December 12th, 2007 @9:19 pm
Dr. Mani
Thanks for the clarification.
I should have read your post carefully and not mouth off with the first thoughts coming to my mind.
I completely agree with you that ‘influencers’ should hold themselves to very high ethical standards. Historically every profession has tried to do that with the ‘code of ethics’ for their profession. Though the wordings may be different, the underlying ethical values are pretty much the same- “Be honest, don’t cheat, put your community and clients needs above yours, do not cause harm,..”.
Of course I can hear dissent about politicians and lawyers ethical values, as practiced!
Thanks for your posts. They are informative and thought provoking.
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