Ethical Communication

We must be ethical in everything we do. Second to our actions, speech is very important in communicating. We must always think things through before we say them, treat others as you would want to be treated, and make sure you are saying what you think you are saying and not implying anything else. Here are ten rules to follow in order to communicate ethically from Northern Virgina Ethical Society:

1. Seek to “elicit the best” in communications and interactions with other group members.
2. Listen when others speak.
3. Speak non-judgmentally.
4. Speak from your own experience and perspective, expressing your own thoughts, needs, and feelings.
5. Seek to understand others (rather than to be “right” or “more ethical than thou”).
6. Avoid speaking for others, for example by characterizing what others have said without checking your understanding, or by universalizing your opinions, beliefs, values, and conclusions.
7. Manage your own personal boundaries: share only what you are comfortable sharing.
8. Respect the personal boundaries of others.
9. Avoid interrupting and side conversations.
10. Make sure that everyone has time to speak, that all members have relatively equal “air time” if they want it. 

Here is another link that explain ethical communication and gives a few more rules to follow: Lane