Merriam-Webster neatly defines ethics as “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values.” From this basic definition, a myriad of sources further defines and distills its meaning. A quick Google search of “personal ethics” yields hundreds of websites, research papers and other authorities dedicated to explaining the philosophy of determining what is right or wrong.

We find that at the core of personal ethics (and the common denominators of all our search results) are the following basic considerations:

• Honesty
• Respect
• Loyalty
• Integrity
• Selflessness
• Responsibility

These attributes help guide us in our interactions with others and provide guardrails for our private and public behavior. They are universal in nature and span most cultures of human civilization. One’s ethics reflect a person’s morals and transcend every part of their life. They provide a foundation for social interaction, professional development, community involvement and self-discipline. Bringing these attributes to work should be expected and emphasized. One’s views on diversity, like any other issue, are inherently part and parcel of one’s ethics.

Personal ethical behavior is the foundation for professional conduct, regardless of career path, industry or position. For those of us in highly regulated industries such as law, financial services or medicine, there are additional layers of professional ethics to consider. Because some professions have a great deal of power vested in them, create systems and structures that humans physically rely on for their safety or are necessary for life itself, professionals in those fields are held to higher standards. Often, these additional requirements are not just the social behavior standards of a group of people; they are codified in professional licensing requirements or even in the law.

Answering the question of whether our personal ethics matter at work through a diversity lens may seem straightforward, but careful consideration should be given to the interrelation of all six of these attributes. A shortsighted perspective may bring a personal bias to work, to be candid. One could argue that someone who does so is just honestly being themselves. But dig deeper, and that approach is at odds with the other core tenets.

The more productive approach is to allow oneself the opportunity for personal growth, mindful of all the facets of moral behavior. Confronting bias with intention checks all our basic ethical boxes: honesty with oneself, respect for others, loyalty to the group, the integrity of personal growth, placing others’ feelings before self and taking responsibility for one’s shortcomings. Or conversely, sharing responsibility for the group’s collective success.

The ethics consideration set – those six core tenets – is not linear; it is indeed circular and constantly in flux. Change, and our reactions to it, require constant self-examination. Our ethics provide a valuable framework for decision-making and personal growth as we successfully navigate the many challenges that diverse experiences, people and thought can bring.

John Brown is a vice president of content. He has worked in a variety of environments where personal and professional ethics were not just ideals to strive for, but essential for organizational success.