Here’s a tip for today: The Rule of Universality.

Lets talk about it in simple terms: do only what would be acceptable if everyone did it.

Next time you have an ethical decision to make, start by asking yourself a question. What if everyone did it?

• What if everyone littered?
• What if everyone cheated on their taxes?
• What if everyone did not obey the speed limit?
• What if everyone was disrespectful?

Not only can this tip help our decision-making process, but it also reminds us that our values are important for keeping a civil society.

Stay tuned! We’ll have more decision-making tips in future posts.

The NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct has developed a series of best practices to help improve game environment.

Here are a few of their suggestions:

1. Encourage fans to root for their team and not against their opponent. (Give fans newspapers printed with positive cheers for their team on the inside and “GOOD LUCK!” on the outside. This will encourage them to either cheer or show the outside of their newspapers).
2. Seat only visiting fans near the opposing team’s bench to reduce heckling.
3. Adopt and post strict fan behavior guidelines and consequences for misconduct.
4. Walk the talk by ejecting fans who don’t meet the guidelines.
5. Train gate and security personnel to deny admission to fans who are under the influence.
6. Develop a listserve where students and coaches can nominate and recognize specific fans who exhibit sportsmanship.
7. Nominate and honor a male and female “Fan of the Year” and/or group “Fans of the Year” for acts of sportsmanship.
8. Award T-shirts to “super fans” each game.
9. Offer the chance to win a seat on the “Super Fan” couch at an upcoming game. Place the couch in a prime seating area and announce the individual over the public-address system.
10. Host a competition for the best sign demonstrating sportsmanship and honor the individual(s) with an award.

What do you think? Do guidelines like these work? Would you be supportive of your favorite team enforcing a code of conduct for spectators?

Success and significance. Isn’t the goal to have them both?

We instantly know that character is tied to significance. Character provides us with the compassion to come to someone’s aid, the integrity to do what we say we’ll do and the courage to be tolerant of other viewpoints. Our ethics teach us to strive to do what is right, and encourage others to do the same. It is good character that allows us to make a true impact on other people’s lives and makes our community better.

Have you ever considered that character can also further your success? Strength of character will allow you to be self-directed, organize, prioritize, and adapt to new situations as well as give you the ability to lead others, collaborate, actively listen and exercise critical thinking. All of these skills contribute to success.

The hard part comes, of course, when you have to choose between having success or having significance. It will be your strength of character that helps you make the right choice.