Designing for Integrity; Possible Contamination of the La Villa River; Microwave Network Project.

Friday, June 13, 2025. Designing for Integrity: Helping People Choose the Honest Path Last week, I wrote about a difficult but necessary truth: everyone cheats, even if just a little. Not in the dramatic sense we associate with scandal or crime, but in small, seemingly harmless ways. People round up hours, tweak reports, or justify cutting corners, all while still considering themselves honest. It’s not malice that drives most of this behavior. It’s convenience, opportunity, and our ability to rationalize. The challenge for any organization, then, isn’t rooting out “bad apples.” It’s creating systems and cultures that help good people stay on the right path, even when the temptation to stray is there. One of the most effective things we can do is insert subtle moral reminders BEFORE someone takes action, and yes, timing matters. A short statement about values or integrity, placed at the start of a form, a report, or a task (and not at the end), can shift a person’s mindset and reduce the likelihood of dishonesty. It’s more about the reflection than it is about rules. We also need to make consequences feel personal. When people feel distant from the impact of their actions, it’s easier for them to justify them. But when they understand that misreporting expenses could mean less budget for training, or that bending the truth on a project could affect a colleague’s workload or job, they’re more likely to make the ethical choice. Language plays a role as well. Messaging that appeals to identity rather than just behavior is far more effective. Instead of saying “don’t cheat,” we can say “be someone who others can trust.” Framing expectations around who we are, not just what we do, reinforces the idea that honesty is a reflection of character. Another significant motivator behind dishonest behavior is the desire to avoid punishment. Many people lie not to gain, but to escape negative consequences, even when those consequences are minor. If a culture is overly punitive or if mistakes are met with harsh judgment, people may feel compelled to cover up errors rather than report them. This doesn’t build accountability, it breeds silence and deception. Instead, businesses should promote a culture where owning up to mistakes is seen as a strength, not a liability. When people feel safe to tell the truth, they’re more likely to do so.  This is true even moreso at the managerial levels. Designing environments where people feel gently observed can also make a difference. This doesn’t mean surveillance or control.  It can be as simple as adding a peer-review step, implementing self-checks, or even using symbolic cues like mirrors or signs that prompt reflection. A sense of visibility can nudge people toward better behavior, especially among peers. Culture plays a powerful role too. If people believe that “everyone’s doing it,” dishonesty spreads fast. But when we make it clear that integrity is the norm, most people rise to that standard.  If a person is caught cheating at anything, the repercusions of these acts should be handled swiftly and adecuately.  And then, highlighting the positive behaviors will help to reinforce a sense of collective honesty. It’s also important to remove or reduce conflicts of interest. When someone benefits personally from making a biased decision, even subconsciously, it clouds judgment – every… single… time… Wherever possible, decisions that involve financial incentives or sensitive outcomes should be structured with transparency or shared oversight. And finally, we can’t ignore the role of stress and fatigue. People are more likely to make poor choices when they’re overwhelmed or depleted. Ethical behavior requires mental energy. When we promote a healthy, balanced work environment, we give people the cognitive space to do the right thing.  This includes time for breaks and clear boundaries. In the end, the goal isn’t to create a system of control. It’s to make the honest choice easier, safer, and more natural. It’s helping the honest person to stay honest.  Integrity doesn’t happen by accident, it’s shaped by the environments we create. And when we build with that in mind, we don’t just prevent cheating, we foster a culture of trust, responsibility, and pride in doing things the right way. Brett MikkelsonDirector, B.M. Investigations, Inc. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Nine Investigations Opened Over Possible Contamination of the La Villa River Pig farming companies and other economic activities — including the developers of a housing project — are under investigation for allegedly dumping waste into tributaries of the La Villa River. This contamination has affected the population of Chitré and at least four districts in Los Santos, who are now facing water consumption restrictions. According to available information, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office of Los Santos has opened nine investigations following the alleged contamination of the La Villa River, a vital water source for the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos. The investigations were officially launched on May 29, after citizen complaints began circulating on social media and a formal complaint was filed by a Ministry of Environment official. Reports indicate that the establishments under scrutiny may have discharged waste into the Estivaná River, a direct tributary of the La Villa River. As a result, the prosecutor’s office, in coordination with the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, carried out inspections to determine whether the water source has been affected. A total of seven pig farms, one housing development, and a dairy production company are currently under investigation. These entities were administratively sanctioned and given a deadline to make improvements to their facilities, as required by environmental authorities. Meanwhile, additional inspections are being conducted to verify whether other companies may be linked to the contamination found in the river’s waters, according to official sources. As the investigations continue, residents remain on alert regarding the quality of the water reaching their homes. Although the general recommendation not to consume the water directly still stands, the Ministry of Health clarified in its most recent statement that the water may be used for drinking, brushing teeth, and