January 2018 1/16/2018 Professional Ethics Todd Horton, PE, PLS January 2018 Seminar Faculty Todd Horton, PE, PLS, is an associate professor and the director of the land surveying and construction management degree programs at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, where he has taught since 1998. He also teaches surveying to University of Illinois civil engineering students. Beyond the campus, he presents continuing education seminars across the country for land surveyors and engineers. Mr. Horton has several years of experience in planning, surveying, design, construction, and maintenance of civil engineering projects, including commercial structures, residential subdivisions, airfields, utility systems and highways. His previous employers include the US Air Force, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and engineering and surveying firms in central Illinois. Mr. Horton is the faculty advisor of the Parkland College Student Chapter of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association. He received his B.S. Civil Engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Todd.Horton.PE.PLS@gmail.com (217) 493-3371 mobile thorton@parkland.edu (217) 373-3785 office Todd Horton, PE, PLS Question What is the differencebetween an expert and a professional? What is a profession? A profession possesses special high level knowledge and skills gained via research, education and training. A profession applies this knowledge and skill in the interest of others. Professions play a vital role in providing trusted expertise founded on established standards. 1 1
virtuefirst.org/virtues/humility/ sillysutras.com/humility-asupreme-virtue/ 1/16/2018 Professionals Professionals are committed to competence, integrity, morality, altruism, and the public good. Professionals are accountable to those served and tosociety. Ethics by the Rules A Code of Ethics uses rules to establish the right or wrong of actions. Rules are relatively easy for practitioners. Adherence is a clear matter of fact. Ethics Board Rulings https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/ethics -resources/board-of-ethical-review-cases 2 Example Cases Conflict of Interest Former Government Official Independent Contractor for Firm Misrepresentation - Changes Made to Engineer s Report Advertising Use of Technical Information by Contractor Public Health and Safety Development of Computer Code Drawings, Plans, and Specifications for Industrial Processing Facility Example Cases Licensure Engineer Intern as Project Lead Confidentiality Discussion with Potential Bidding Contractor Confidentiality of Competitor Information Submitted to Government Agency Duty to Provide Recommendation Based on Objective and Factual Information Core Values Can you satisfy the Code of Ethics without ethical core values? Core values enable good choices outside the scope of ethical rules. 3 Humility is the solidfoundation of all the virtues. - Confucius When the endcomes, we will not be judged by what we read, but by what we have done, not by what worldly trophies adorn our offices and homes, but by whether we have lived a virtuous life and how much we have loved. Humility Humility can conjure up images of weakness, submissiveness, and fear. 4 2
If you are going around thinking that you havea great knowledge and understanding of a number of subjects, please be reminded that there are many more bodies of knowledge on this planet that you know nothing about. You have no reason for being proud, but reason enough to be humble. Do No Harm. Humility is the strength to put others before ourselves. Do good. My obligation to do good is high when the cost to me is low and the benefit to others ishigh. 5 Tell the truth. 3 kinds of lies Lie to harm another Lie to protect self Lie to protect another Keep your promises. Real humility is a sign of strength, authentic confidence, and courage. As a Professional Surveyor, I dedicate my professionalknowledge and skills to the advancement and betterment of humanwelfare. 6 I pledge to give the utmost of performance; I pledge toparticipate in none but honest enterprise; I pledge to live andwork according to the laws of humankind and the highest standards of professional conduct; I pledge to place service before profit, honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations; In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge. 7 3
As a Professional Surveyor, I dedicate my professionalknowledge and skills to the advancement and betterment of humanwelfare. I dedicate Set apart fora special use Devote time, effort, or oneself to a particulartask or purpose. my professional knowledge Professionals focus on people, situations, and ideas. Technicians focus on things andtasks. 8 advancement & betterment Advancing and bettering areterms for CHANGE. Professionals use CHANGE to serve others. Protectionism Is the enemy of innovation Strives to preserve what we have Hangs on to the past Legislates instead of competes Bickers Fights turf wars Innovation Do the things no one else cando GPR Scanning UAS Addvalue 9 of human welfare. The public builds weighty decisions upon your work. Land ownership In US, land ownership grants rights that may be freely exercised on that land. Real property confers uniquefreedomsupon the owner. We use land to produce wealth. The patient makes weighty decisions using the doctor s advice. Did WebMD make doctors obsolete? 10 4
The client makes weighty decisions using the attorney s advice. Did LegalZoom make attorneys obsolete? What is missing from thispicture? The client makes weighty decisions using the surveyor s advice. Will technology make surveyors obsolete? of human welfare. Surveying and mapping demand far more than measuring expertly. As professionals, we provide expert information to our clients with which they can make weighty decisions. 11 I pledge to give the utmost of performance; I pledge Guarantee by a solemn binding promise PararescueCreed It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save lives and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live. 12 the utmost ofperformance Performance as a: Professional Technical expert Supervisor Mentor I pledge toparticipate in none but honest enterprise; 13 5
A. Durand, The International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, Geneva, 1981, p. 54. http://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/irrc-844- coupland.pdf 1/16/2018 none but honest enterprise Our clients trust us to gather specialized knowledge. Their trust is the foundation upon which honor and standing are built. I pledge to live andwork according to the laws of humankind to live and work Who watches your lifeunfold? How does you off-duty conduct affect your effectiveness as a professional? 14 the laws of humankind Life Liberty Personal Property Equal treatment under law the laws of humankind Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples. I pledge to live andwork according to the highest standards of professional conduct; 15 professional conduct Professionals focus on people, situations, and ideas. Technicians focus on things and tasks. I pledge to place servicebefore profit service before profit Does my work serve me more than it serves the public? Am I creating a new problem? Or, am I solving the most important problem? Does my work reflect well onmy profession? 16 6
service before profit service before profit Be amentor. Be an ambassador. Be atrusted resource. I pledge to place honor and standing of theprofession before personal advantage 17 Conflict of Interest Exposing self and surveying profession to public criticism Erodes trust of those we serve Prevented by humility Standing of the profession Promote profession in common languageto serve client, public and profession Recognize the disconnect Work to fixit honor and standing of the profession Why professional development? Option 1: Satisfy licensing rules. Option 2: Learn for self. Option 3: Learn for subordinates. 18 honor and standing of the profession Is professional development an investment or a sunkcost? honor and standing of the profession Are the original assumptions on professional development valid now? How many PDHs do professionals need? honor and standing of the profession How will the Certified Survey Technician program affect our future? 19 7
www.photolib.noaa.gov 1/16/2018 I pledge to place thepublic welfare above all other considerations; Who decides yourreputation? If others formulate your reputation, then to preserve it or to improve it, you must see the world through their eyes. Human perception Us: surveyors give professional advice for land decisions Everyone else: Surveyors conduct polls. 20 the public welfare 1. Assess client knowledge 2. Find common language 3. Teach 4. Refine scope jointly 5. Perform agreed task 6. Present answers In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge. In humility Whether or notyou accept it, you are already teaching lessons. Are they the lessons you intend to teach? Ethical training occurs gradually and intentionally. Mentoring is the duty of the experienced. 21 Professional Technical expert Supervisor Mentor Who are you? The value of an oath An oath reinforces your personal commitment to your core values. A shared oath communicates the permission you grant to your peers to hold you accountable. Joinme. As a Professional Surveyor, I dedicate my professionalknowledge and skills to the advancement and betterment of humanwelfare. 22 8
I pledge to give the utmost of performance; I pledge toparticipate in none but honest enterprise; I pledge to live andwork according to the laws of humankind and the highest standards of professional conduct; I pledge to place service before profit, honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations; In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge. 23 Contact Information Todd Horton, PE, PLS Todd.Horton.PE.PLS@gmail.com (217) 493-3371 mobile thorton@parkland.edu (217) 373-3785 24 9