Michelle's Entrepreneurial Journal

Ethics are not just a set of rules we follow when someone is watching; they are the quiet decisions that shape who we become over time. They influence how we treat people, how we use power, and what we choose to value when pressure is high and shortcuts are available. More than anything, ethics reveal what we truly believe matters.

Integrity is often talked about as honesty, but it runs deeper than telling the truth. It is about alignment, between beliefs and actions, intentions and outcomes. A person with integrity does not live one way publicly and another way privately. They do not adjust their values depending on convenience or reward. Ethical living requires consistency, especially when it costs something.

One of the most challenging truths about ethics is that compromise rarely begins with major wrongdoing. It begins with small rationalizations. A slight bending of the rules. A justification that “everyone does it.” Over time, those small decisions form habits, and habits form character. This is why ethics matter long before a person is in a position of authority or influence. Who we become in quiet moments determines how we act when the stakes are high.

In both life and business, trust is the foundation that everything else rests on. Relationships, leadership, and long-term success depend on it. Trust cannot exist without integrity, and integrity cannot exist without accountability. When trust is broken, it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to fully restore. Ethical behavior is not only a moral responsibility but a practical necessity.

I also believe ethics are deeply connected to purpose. When success is defined solely by achievement, income, or recognition, ethical lines become easier to cross. But when success is rooted in service, contribution, and impact, integrity becomes non-negotiable. Values act as a compass, guiding decisions when outcomes are uncertain and pressure is intense.

Living ethically does not mean living perfectly. It means being willing to self-correct, to acknowledge mistakes, and to choose growth over ego. Integrity is built through humility and a commitment to do better, not through flawless performance.

Ultimately, ethics shape the kind of life we are building, not just the kind of career we are pursuing. They determine whether our success brings peace or regret, trust or isolation, meaning or emptiness. A life grounded in integrity may not always be the easiest path, but it is the one that leads to lasting fulfillment.