How Executives Betray the Honor Code - Nu Leadership Series |
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By: Daryl Green Posted: 2006-12-10 01:42:10 |
| “ Choosing one's leaders is an affirmation that the person making the choice has inherent worth.” Linda ChavezAs I glanced at the news, I was reminded of the ugliness of humanity. Do we really need another ethical scandal in America? Bernie Ebbers, WorldComm founder, started a 25-year sentence for an $11 billion account fraud. Likewise, HP had its own embarrassing moment with scandals. Recently, HP decided to keep Board Chairman Dunn after the chairman was discovered wiretapping her board. What are these executives thinking when they conducted these transgressions against their corporations?Does character count in capitalism? Guinness, a religious authority, explains that contemporary society views character as something that distinguishes an individual; however, biblically, character is viewed as essentially moral. In many cases, character doesn’t count in secularism.Most corporations preach high ethical behavior but are sidetracked morally by the bottom-line. Joyner, author of Leadership Management, argues that outstanding leaders fail unless their lives are underpinned with honor, morality, and character. Under the current model, anything goes. Don’t get caught! Any path will do. However, Jesus disagreed in Luke 13: 24 “Do all you can to go in by the narrow door! A lot of people will try to get in, but will not be able to.”Don’t expect companies to clean themselves up. However, a wave of moral conduct is coming. Maynard and Mehrten, renowned futurists, maintain outside forces will demand high ethics and a moving away of a focus solely on material gain.Therefore, leader get ready. We are entering this moral revolution.References:Guinness, O. (2000). When No One Sees. Colorado Springs, CO: The Trinity Forum.Joyner, R. (1994). Leadership Management. Charlotte, NC: MorningStar Publication.Maynard, H. & Mehrten, S. (1996). The Fourth Wave: Business in the 21st Century. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehlers. USA Today.com (September 13, 2006). New HP chief makes the best of a bad situation. Received on September 26, 2006, from http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2006-09-12-hp-hurd-advantage_x.htm.USA Today.com (September 26, 2006). Ebbers winds up at federal prison in Louisiana. Received on September 26, 2006, from http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2006-09-25-ebbers-usat_x.htm.© 2006 by Daryl D. GreenDaryl D. Green has published over 100 articles in the field of decision-making (personal and organizational), leadership, and organizational behavior. Mr. Green is also the author of two acclaimed books, Awakening the Talents Within and My Cup Runneth Over. He is a columnist, lecturer, professor, and management consultant. Mr. Green has a BS in engineering and a MA in organizational management. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate in strategic leadership. |
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