Maintaining a Neutral View

Maintaining a neutral view Volume 4, Issue 12 – December 27, 2012  “At any As much as we hate to admit it, some of assume that everyone is honest, and is given our vendors, contractors, grantees, or giving us complete and accurate moment, even our coworkers may not be totally information in all cases. honest. As the late J. Edgar Hoover, When interacting with outside parties, there is a former head of the FBI once put it, “At such as vendors, contractors, or grantees, certain any given moment, there is a certain make sure you receive and review all percentage percentage of the population that is up to required paperwork before making of the no good.” It is important that we payments. Perform periodic consider this sobering fact in our dealings population reconciliations, if needed, and investigate as state employees. This means that is up and resolve any identified differences. maintaining a neutral view when to no Principled external parties understand that considering the behavior or claims of you have a responsibility to ensure the good.” those with whom we do business as part appropriateness of the information being of our jobs.  Maintainin provided. They should not become g a neutral Maintaining a neutral view involves defensive or uncooperative when asked view neither assuming that those with whom for additional explanations or requires we deal are honest nor dishonest but, documentation. rather, keeping an open and questioning keeping an Even when dealing with coworkers, it is mind. A questioning mind requires a open and important that you perform due diligence thorough examination of all the facts, on the information you receive before questionin withholding judgment pending a acting on it. You may find it difficult to be g mind. methodical and full evaluation, and professionally skeptical of a colleague requiring sufficient documentation to  If who, over time, may have become a support conclusions. Some refer to this as friend or who you believe is capable and something the “trust but verify” approach. does not competent. However, you have a appear As we build work relationships with responsibility to question any unclear or people inside and outside of our unusual items, and be satisfied with the right or organizations, it may be increasingly explanations received. It is important that proper, get difficult not to let bias creep into our you feel comfortable talking to the the work. Over time, confidence in those we appropriate parties within your agency if a additional deal with naturally develops, sometimes coworker is unable or unwilling to informatio prompting us to blindly trust the provide you with the necessary n you need statements and assertions of others. information or documentation to support to make an However, in our role as stewards of the decisions you have been asked to make. state’s resources, we need to resist that In maintaining a neutral view, do not informed temptation, regardless of how long of a ignore your intuition regarding the decision. history we may have with certain people. behaviors or claims of others. If Unfortunately, we can not automatically something does not appear right or proper, COSO Pyramid used with permission. Copyright 1992-2009. Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. All rights reserved.

a o Distributed by Minnesota Management & Budget 658 Cedar Street | Centennial Office Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 it is important that transaction is accurate and appropriate. neutral view? Do you satisfy yourself that you follow your Do not be embarrassed to ask the the transactions or information provided instincts. Obtain questions necessary to make an informed by others is what it claims to be before the additional decision. making a decision? evidence you need Suggested action steps: Pay attention to If you have questions, please contact to assure yourself the way you react to information provided Jeanine Kuwik at that the by your vendors, contractors, grantees or [email protected] or (651) information or coworkers. Can you always maintain a 201-8148.

a o Distributed by Minnesota Management & Budget 658 Cedar Street | Centennial Office Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55155