The idea of ethics starts with a more basic term, values. Values are not the same as ethics. There are many different kinds of values, on this blog we focus a lot on moral or ethical values that guide behavior according to general standards of goodness.
Most companies have both a stated values and mission statement. Mission statements are what the organization is trying to accomplish while values statements state what the organization hopes employees believe and if recruited properly hopefully do.
To be an ethical company or an ethical person all actions need to be governed by core ethical principles. The Six Pillars of Character are the core universal values we feel apply to all companies and situations because they govern the kind of person who will create the kind of company that everyone wants.