Michæl McFarland Campbell

Throughout my career, I have worked hard to ensure that everything that I do is to the best of my ability and shows my professionalism. Paramount to ensuring this is learning new skills, exploring new ways of working, and revising ongoing skills and tools to complete my work.

This morning, I’ve been looking at professional ethics, particularly concerning my work as a communications professional.

As Richard Bailey, says

Ethics is allied to professionalism. So if you profess to act ethically, then as a very first step you should be able to demonstrate your commitment to professional standards.

Richard Bailey, PR Academy, Briefing: Professional Ethics, 2022-04-04, https://pracademy.co.uk/insights/briefing-professional-ethics/ accessed 2022-01-03

My first step is to have signed up to professional standards. I have signed up to the Code of Conduct of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, of which I am a Member and Accredited PR Practitioner, also to the Institute of Internal Communication’s Code of Conduct as a Certified Member. I have membership in several professional bodies, and I work hard to ensure that all of my work meets their professional standards.

I can recall a few times when I have been asked in employment to do something which I found ethically questionable. Each time, I explained to my manager why I could not do what I was being asked to do. On more than one occasion, there was a look of incomprehension that I refused to do what was wanted. But, having heard that it was about professional ethics, and after I had explained why I could not do what it was, it was decided that it was not a good move.

Within the Public Relations industry, Patricia Parsons states that there are five pillars:

1. Veracity (telling the truth)
2. Non-malificence (doing no harm)
3. Beneficence (doing good)
4. Confidentiality (respecting privacy)
5. Fairness (being fair and responsible)

They are very good pillars for any role, and they equally work within the Internal Communication sphere of communications. I shall continue to endeavour to hold myself to these qualities in my work. I urge others to do likewise.

Every year, I work hard to keep my knowledge and skills up to date with CPD. At the end of March 2022, I had completed a year of CPD with CIPR — the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. This means that I maintain my Accredited PR Practitioner status, but more importantly it illustrates that I take the profession seriously. I urge everyone in their various professions to work to complete continuing professional development each year. It really is the best way to stay at the top of your game.

Being involved with both Scouting Ireland and St John Ambulance Ireland as a volunteer, and also a member of the Select Vestry of the local parish of the Church of Ireland. In all of these roles it is important for me to be up to date with the latest training about the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. Therefore, this afternoon, I have completed the “Introduction to Children First” programme from Tusla – the Child and Family Agency. I then completed the online assessment, passed it, and received my certificate. On Tuesday evening coming, I will be completing the Child Protection and Safeguarding training from St John Ambulance Ireland.

Looking after the children in our society is important to me. As I live in the Republic of Ireland, and volunteer with organisations both here and in the United Kingdom, it means I need to be trained in both systems. The principles are, I am glad to say, rather similar.

I highly recommend the course to anyone working in Ireland who may come into contact with children. You can find the course at https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/

I’m really pleased that the study pack from the Association for Project Management arrived in the post yesterday. I am planning to complement my ongoing study with the Code Institute on their Diploma in Software Development (Full Stack) with study for the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.

I enjoy learning new skills and improving on those I already have. In past roles, I have had to project manage on many occasions, often without the formal title. But, I feel that it would be useful to have the formal qualification behind me when applying for new roles in the future.

I had already started down this path back in 2018, but then in December of that year my life changed dramatically with the failure of my kidneys due to Goodpasture Syndrome. I am now in a position where I can spend some time to study for both qualifications. So, that is what I am doing.

I’ve been taking some time to complement my studies with Code Institute by working through the #MyLeadership platform of The Institute of Leadership & Management as part of my continuing professional development.

Many of my experiences both as an adult and a young person in The Scouts and Scouting Ireland as well as working with St John Ambulance Ireland have helped to nurture my skills in these areas.

Having grown up through Scouting, I known that it is important to maintain my personal integrity. And by doing that, it inspires trust from those in your team. It is only by knowing and living my own values that I can challenge and empower others to be the best that they can be.

Yesterday, I was certified in the “Authenticity” dimension’s eight categories.

• Self Awareness
• Conversation
• Ethics
• Integrity
• Supporting
• Aligning Values
• Challenging
• Building Trust