A few weeks ago, I received a quite remarkable comment about a previous post I had written, Differences, Words, and Deeds. It came in from Steve Nguyen, Diversity Trainer, University of North Texas. What was most meaningful about his commentary is that in its wisdom, we are reminded of the basics of character and ethics that come from the lessons we learned as young children. Interestingly, in a kind of perfect timing -- everything around us, in almost any direction we look, seems to demonstrate that we have strayed away from these values, the absence of which has been the source of our most pressing problems today. Steve's message also speaks to the importance of honoring differences --- and I would add, it restates the universal truths that create an environment where putting our differences to work yields the fastest way to innovation, leadership, and high performance. They are are fundamental to the Five Distinctive Qualities of Leadership for the 21st Century discussed in my book. For these reasons, I share Steve Nguyen's commentary below.
A BACKDROP for Your Thinking
Peter F. Drucker, the well-know father of modern management, established a timeless framework for revisiting the notions of character and business ethics. He poses a question that serves as a backdrop for considering the basic truths that Steve Nguyen brings up for our thinking and questioning:
"The fundamental axiom on which the Western tradition of ethics has always been based is: There is only one code of ethics, that of individual behavior, for prince and pauper, for rich and poor, for the mighty and the meek alike. ...There is only one ethics, one set of rules of morality, one code, that of individual behavior in which the same rules apply to everyone alike. Business ethics assumes that for some reason the ordinary rules of ethics do not apply to business. What is Business Ethics then?"
--- Peter F. Drucker, The Daily Drucker
Commentary by Steve Nguyen
"I've always believed that many of the things we do as adults can and should be learned from children and the process by which we educate them. When we talk about honoring each other's differences and watching our words and actions, I think that children are our best teachers. For instance, I contend that character education (teaching children how to be better, more honorable world citizens by treating one another with respect) is also a great way to teach adults and business leaders.
Imagine teaching character education as a business ethics course! Here are six qualities/pillars of character that can be taught: http://charactercounts.org/sixpillars.html
Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment
Taking any one of these, we can easily apply its lesson to our lives as adults and to our workplaces. For example, under "Respect", we have "Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others" and under "Responsibility", we learn to "Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences."
Somewhere along the way towards adulthood, we have forgotten these valuable lessons taught to us (hopefully) as children. I think it's important that we each reach deep within to learn again (or for the first time) these principles of humanity (compassion, decency, honor, respect, and citizenship)."
Taking a TIME-OUT to Think and Question
On YouTube.com, there are some creative videos illustrating each of the six pillars. I offer this one to listen to as you pause a moment to think through how you demonstrate these character qualities in your day-to-day business, work, and life. It was created by a 2008 Finalist for the Josephson Institute Character Counts Contest,Chipotle Pictures. Great job! I leave you doing the same.
Warmest regards to all that stop by. I welcome your thoughts.
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, President and CEO Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership,
and High Performance (Berrett-Koehler 2008)
Buy a Copy at Amazon.com
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