The only way to make the right ethical choices consistently is to develop a system for problem-solving ahead of time.

Millard MacAdam, author of three books on integrity, teaches his clients a team approach that stresses personal accountability and commitment. A company with employees might form a team within each department. A business owner might bring together a team of friends or business colleagues to help each other in the ethics department.

Here’s how a personal accountability team works:

1. The team agrees to core operating values or standard of ethics.

2. The group meets weekly or monthly, and each member shares success stories about implementing values in personal or professional life.

3. Members ask each other key questions to re-enforce ethical behavior. For example: Have you taken only that to which you are entitled? Have you told only the truth to colleagues and customers?

4. The group does some prevention, such as reviewing the agreed upon values or code of conduct.

5. Each member shares perceptions about the match between the standards of ethics and actual activity in his or her company’s marketing, finance, customer service and management.

6. Members discuss and agree to steps to bring the daily work in alignment with clearly expressed standards.

Being held accountable for actions makes people think twice before they act. This integrity check can apply to every aspect of their lives.