BUILDING A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY: HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR INDUSTRY FROM WITHIN

by Matt Tett , Founder of Day of the Month club

Warning: This article discusses a difficult subject. It seeks to start a dialogue that will foster positive change in our industry, address bad behaviour and build a better future.

I had the honour of attending a breakfast gathering at Melbourne Zoo hosted by Source2Create to celebrate International Women’s Day. The panel included women close to our industry, but not from our industry, who echoed sentiments we have heard over the years. During the Q&A I felt compelled to raise a question that has troubled me and many of my colleagues for years, a question that seems unanswerable but needs to be addressed: how, without fear of retaliation, can we hold individuals and organisations accountable for maintaining good standing in our industry?

Many of our professional certifications and industry bodies mandate adherence to codes of conduct. However, there are still individuals and organisations that fail to maintain good standing, either deliberately or inadvertently. Their actions continue unabated, seemingly swept under the carpet as if they are taboo and cannot be discussed. We need to collectively address this issue to improve our industry’s overall reputation. www.linkedin.com/in/mtett www.dotm.com.au

Calling out bad behaviour can be counterproductive, and often provokes retaliation. Those speaking out against employers, seniors or leaders can suffer employment termination, contract cancellation or other retaliatory action. We have all heard the term “career-limiting move.” Many suffer in silence, and the longer a problem persists, the more frustrated they become, especially when multiple sources independently confirm repeat behaviour by certain individuals or organisations.

It is possible some workplaces and individuals may be unaware of their culture or actions, and in such cases we can proactively take steps to address the problem. But how can we raise issues, make individuals and organisations aware of their actions and achieve positive change without creating conflict? We can do so by seeking a better understanding of their position and perspective and fostering a positive and collaborative culture for the betterment of our industry.

In conclusion, for our industry to grow and mature, we need to learn how to hold individuals and organisations accountable for actions detrimental to their good standing in our industry, without fearing retaliation. We must proactively address toxic cultures and seek positive change without creating conflict while being sensitive to those who may not be aware of their culture or actions. It is time to work together and create a better industry for everyone.