On the first day of class, my professor handed out an in-class assignment listing a multitude of values. Each classmate was asked to circle ten values they felt were the most important to them. After our ten values were circled, the professor then asked us to scratch out five, then 3, and then 1. As each of the values I felt were most important to me were being deduced down to one, it became morally harder to make a decision on which value I cherished the most about myself. The values of integrity, honesty, and loyalty were the hardest to scratch off the list. I finally reduced my moral code down to a single word: Self-respect. This word rang true to everything I prided myself to be. Everything I do, I try to respect myself in all decisions I make on a daily basis.
As a public relations professional in the making, I know that I will face ethical dilemmas in the work place and I know I will try and respect myself as I make the ethically correct decision for each one I face. I will not only take self-respect with me wherever I go, I will also stay tried and true to the PRSA Code of Ethics. There are three values that I will also try and carry with me throughout my professional career: Honesty, loyalty, and independence.
The PRSA Code of Ethics states honesty as “adhering to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those we represent and in communicating with the public.” I believe “honesty is the best policy” to adhere to in any workplace. When working with clients to disseminate their message to the public, public relations professionals must always ask themselves if they are being honest in all aspects of their work, including their portrayal of the client to the public.
Loyalty and self-respect go hand-in-hand when it comes to my set of morals and values. It is also on the PRSA Code of Ethics statement of professional values. It states loyalty as being “faithful to those we represent, while honoring our obligation to serve the public interest.” It will always be in the best interest of public relations professionals to be loyal to their client as well as the consumer of the material they provide. Without loyalty to our clients, there would be no loyalty from the public. Our best interest is always the interest of our clients, and staying true to them is the only way to go.
I have always thought myself to be a strong and independent woman. I have always taken the fall for my wrong-doings and will continue to do so in my career. It doesn’t surprise me that the PRSA Code of Ethics takes independence into account as a professional value either. It states independence as “providing objective counsel to those we represent” and being “accountable for our actions.” Public relations professionals should always strive for being accountable. If a public relations consultant finds himself or herself in a bind, it is always important for them to remember that they are accountable for all that they do. Although we may work together as a team, every individual is accountable for their actions and should never forget this as they work hard for their clients and employers.
Alongside these values, there are principles that I identify with as well. As one must be honest, loyal, and accountable, they must also build trust with the public. Under the PRSA Code of Provisions it states that it is important to disclose information. The core principle states “open communication fosters informed decision making in a democratic society.” The intent is “to build trust with the public by revealing all information needed for responsible decision making.” It is always important to be honest and truthful in order to build public trust. Without the trust of the public, clients would not have consumers to serve and we, as public relations professionals, wouldn’t have clients to serve. This never-ending cycle would be detrimental to all parties involved. I will always remain truthful and honest in everything I write and distribute to the public. The public can be harsh, but as long as clients and public relations professionals disclose all information to the public it will build a lifetime of trust no one can afford to lose.
It is important for me to be loyal, honest, and accountable in all aspects of my life. If I am being loyal and honest to my friends, I will build their trust and have them for a lifetime. These embedded morals and values will always be with me throughout my career as well. I want to treat my clients with loyalty and honesty and build their trust in me as a public relations professional. I also believe in being honest and loyal to myself, and if I lie in my career I am only harming my respect for myself.
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