As kids we’re told, “no one likes a tattletale.”  The people saying that were usually the ones being tattled on, the ones doing the wrong that the tattler was pointing out, to the power-that-be, so the wrong doing could be stopped.  So, what’s wrong with being a Tattletale?

In a post-9/11 world the “see something, say something” mantra became an adult version of tattling, but for the safety of all concerned of all ages.

Being a tattletale as an adult should be a good thing, especially among professionals.  Don’t you want your profession to be the best that it can be?  Don’t you want clients and customers to trust your industry?  Don’t you want to be able to trust colleagues?  When you see a fellow professional do something wrong, unethical or otherwise, don’t you want them to stop?  If everyone did, all professions could be better and held in a higher regard. 

Somehow, we got into a situation where some professional organizations are more protective, than promotive, of their industry.  There are many cases of the few “bad cops” intimidating good cops into not revealing the bad behavior, so it ends up multiplying.  Recently, I had some trouble with a specialist my PCP sent me to, and when I tried to tell my PCP about it, he would not acknowledge that there was possible wrong doing.  A realtor friend of mine was telling me how he had trouble with a rather unscrupulous realtor in town, but when he threatened to turn him, everyone in his office warned him off doing so, for fear of retribution. 

Don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right.  Build a better business and do dealings with those who appreciate the fact that you are ethical.  It’s not always easy or obvious to do the right thing, but when you do, and you stop others from doing the wrong thing, we all benefit.