As related to values, ethics refers to the moral standard of right and wrong behavior. Honesty (no lying, stealing, or cheating) is often presented as a minimum moral standard for both society and organizations. Most people understand right and wrong behavior and have a conscience. So why do good people do bad things?

Most people aren’t simply good or bad; 98 percent of us will be unethical at times, but just a little. We respond to “incentives” and can usually be manipulated to behave ethically or unethically if we find the right incentives. The incentive (or reason we are unethical at times) is usually for personal gain, to avoid getting into trouble, or some people don’t believe the rules apply to them.