Communications and Ethics

The search for truth implies a duty. One must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true. – Albert Einstein

Communications is essential to nearly every human endeavor. From the hunter waving to his dog to circle the field to the technical writer enumerating steps to log into a new computer system, communications is the act, the art, the process of conveying information.

Here in the University of Cincinnati Office of Information Technologies Topics in English pages, most topics address written (and to some extent, oral) communications skills of the "nuts and bolts" variety. Although some people have a talent for the language, for writing and speaking, for understanding and expressing information, almost anyone can learn English and become skilled in its use.

It is interesting that along with language skill comes the ability to communicate falsehood, misinformation, and misdirection. Koko, the famous lowland gorilla whom scientists at Stanford University taught American sign language (of about 2,000 words), once spilled some paint. When she was asked who spilled the paint, Koko signed "Smoky did it." Smoky was her pet cat.

The lie is charming, childlike, and transparent. Most lies are none of these things, and have no place at work. I propose that the first thing on which we might agree is that with our business communications, we have a responsibility to communicate truthfully. Do we not all like to assume that that which other university employees report is factual? Let us not prevaricate or equivocate, nor tergiversate.

There is an adage that before we speak, we should ask:  Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? In Buddhist terms, this is speaking mindfully. It is perhaps an unusual approach for a technical writer to take for an essay for an IT organization's web site, but I contend that our business communications could be much improved by an application of the truthfulness test, even if everyone does not attain mindfulness thereby.

It is perhaps self-evident (but worth considering) that those who hear or read our words make an assumption that what we are saying is TRUE.

Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. – Vincent de Paul

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.  – Galileo

We might consider our message further. Assuming it is true, is it kind? I contend that it is an unkindness in and of itself not to be truthful. What is not truth is falsehood. It is misleading at best, perhaps manipulative, and perhaps profitable for the one who uses it. But most people would agree that it is well to refrain from harming others, to adopt an attitude that if "I cannot help you, I will not hurt you." According to the Talmud, "Kindness is the highest form of wisdom." We may "be mistaken," but I contend we ought never lie.

This simple suggestion, that we ask if our words are kind, actually strikes at our motives. What are we attempting to do with our communications? Are our motives kind? I tend to think most of us easily pass that test, but I also know for a fact that some do not. Perhaps no one ever taught them to ask themselves this question.

If a message is true, and kind, we might ask:  Is it necessary?

For the sake of social felicity, for the sake of entertainment, for the sheer joy of telling a good story, we may not want to press ourselves too closely on this last point. But in our business communications, it often helps to consider:  Is it necessary?

Often we forget to tell someone who needed to know something! So we might ask not only is it necessary to communicate some particular information, but to whom might it be important.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or thoughts on these topics, please feel free to contact the editor.

Return to Topics in English.