Belief Systems 

The way we view our world. Our world-view was shaped in childhood, and is modified throughout our adult lives.

The fundamental values and beliefs held by a person. These are the values that are the most important to an individual.

The essential skills required for a profession. For reporters, this might include the ability to write in complete, coherent sentences.

The ethical value concerned with assuring that all persons or parties have access to the same rights and privileges.

Ethical Values

The values that govern the acceptable standards of behavior in a community. Moral and this form our core commitments.

External Goods

Rewards and incentives provided by a community to those willing to take difficult roles within a community. These goods may include money, prestige, power, or status.

The information you have gained about the world and your environment from having lived in it. Includes memory and learning from the choices you have made in the past, as well as the knowledge and experience of others.

The fruits of our labors (jobs or other work) that make doing the work satisfying to us. This can be pride in the quality of our work, helping others, or overcoming obstacles.

While it may seem clichéd, being self-aware is of vital importance in making ethical decisions. Making decisions that are in sync with our innermost values, beliefs, and traditions make us more fulfilled and happy not only in our work lives, but in every aspect of our being.

A person whose role is to provide direction and coordinate resources (which may include people) toward a goal.

Leadership

The qualities or activities of a leader. A leader is a person whose role is to provide direction and coordinate resources (which may include people) toward a goal

A permit granting privileges in exchange for adherence to rules and/or laws. A holder of a this to practice medicine can prescribe medicines and function as a physician, in exchange for following the law and adhering to the Code of Ethics.

A "sketch" of the components that not only reflect a person's role within a company, but also describe the elements of a person's background that have shaped his or her core ethical framework.

The caretakers of oral or other tradition who pass them onto new people. Are often teachers, and share their experience and knowledge gladly.

Mission

The formal statement of the reasons for why a company was formed and continues to operate.

The fungible earnings of a job. An external good, and may be used by some as an incentive to take difficult jobs.

Moral Tradition

The philosophical heritage of those who study ethics

Narrative 

Are items that do not need to be discussed once they are identified. They are situations, decisions, or values a participant or group of participants is unwilling to give up no matter what the situation.

The process of facing a challenge, and defeating it.

The ethical value concerned with tranquility and unity.

The story you tell about your life. This story can include your core values, accomplishments, beliefs, or goals.

The authority granted by holding particular positions. An external good, and may be used by some as an incentive to take difficult jobs.

What occurs when a person has developed his or her own professional core competencies to a mastery level.

The respect and admiration that are associated with one's profession or position. Is an external good, and may be used by some as an incentive to take difficult jobs.

An association for the advancement and governance of a profession. Some common examples include the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Bar Association (ABA).

The ethical value concerned with achieving high standards of excellence.

The ideas and ways a person understands the world as derived from their religious background. These beliefs often form the core of a person's individual moral tradition.

Role Models

The examples of professional excellence that are admired. Sometimes they are professional in nature, that is, they engender especial admiration within a specific field. Other examples are more universally admired.

Rules

The standards for a company or group. They outline expectations for performance, behavior, and other standards of conduct. Enforced only by the group that has established them.

Satisfaction

A feeling of contentment and fulfillment.

Self-image

The picture a person has of him or herself

The specialized abilities, learned or innate, which allow a person to accomplish a task, usually tasks which cannot be accomplished without these specialized abilities.

The reputation and standing of a person within a community. Generally speaking, the higher a person is regarded by their professional or personal community, the higher their status.  Is an external good, and may be used by some as an incentive to take difficult jobs.

The proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. Often ethical agents must compromise with other ethical agents. The points at which the unhappiness of a given person or group reaches a critical mass.

The rituals and practices of a company, individual, or other community. Can be written down, or be communicated verbally.

The formal statement of the values held by a company. These values are the characteristics a company uses to distinguish itself from other companies.