Why doesn’t Tiger Woods cheat?

John McLaren, in a response to my entry dated 25 March 2008 – The power of reputation, asks this question as part of a debate around whether ethics gives rise to competitive advantage, due to an enhanced reputation, or whether competitive advantage comes first, making it easier to be ethical?  John’s point provokes an interesting debate which you should check out by clicking on The power of reputation entry below, comments link).  Does it become easier to be ethical once you have competitive advantage or must ethical behaviour come first if barriers to entry and exit are to lead to sustainable competitive advantage?  An interesting question.  Let me know what you think.  Be inspired.

The power of reputation

Ethical business practice makes you more competitive, not less so.  That’s because ethical business practice gives rise to a reputation that attracts people to you – prospective employees want to be part of that reputation because they want to be proud of who they work for;  customers want to do business with a company with a good reputation because it reduces their risk; same for service providers.  The more people want to do business with you the more selective you can be.  You can pick and choose between candidates making it more likely you will get the best possible person for the job.  You can focus on customers with a better risk profile than others; and you can discriminate between service providers which means you will get more for your money be it in delivery times, quality assurance or innovation in process, product and design.    Ethical business practice makes you more competitive because it makes you exceptional in a sea of mediocrity.  Be inspired. 

Inspiration

Ask someone who they admire and inevitably names associated with an ethical life will find their way to the top of the list (the words ethical and moral may be used interchangeably) .  Think about Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi.  What is it that inspires you just thinking about them?  Humility and courage come to mind with the fact they changed the world for a better place.  Mahatma Ghandi is attributed as having said that the way to change the world is to start with yourself.  The way to do that is to start with how you view ethics and morality.  Imagine if we all  consciously tried to live a more ethical life what a different world we would live in?  Falling short of that ideal is nowhere near as important as the fact you are willing to TRY and live it.  Be inspired!

Be challanged …..

If you have taken the time to think about some of the equestions raised in this blog in the past week then you are now ready for the ultimate question:  Answer true of false – I am an ethical person.  The vast majority of people say true and yet here is an uncomfortable truth:  You probably aren’t.  After more than two decades of research at Harvard and Yale, together with the increasing incidence of unethical behaviour before regulatory authorities the truth appears to be somewhat different.   We are all prepared to be a little dishonest if given the chance but it’s unusual to be reckless.  Our conscience imposes some sort of limitation and that’s something to be thankful for.  Be challanged to do what is right not what is expedient.  Be challanged to make this world a better place starting with yourself.  Be inspired!

The nature of unethical behaviour

Consider for a moment whether Hansie Cronje set out to betray the trust of millions when it came to cricket match fixing?  Would Tony Yengeni have accepted a discount to which he wasn’t entitled if he thought it would lead to his conviction for fraud?  How about Alan Boesak?  Peter Gardner?  Jeff Levenstein and Gary Porritt?  Each of these individuals were role models and personalities in their own right.  People who considered themselves to be ethical people – some still do.  What does that say about the nature of unethical behaviour and the underlying attitudinal and value sets that go with it?  Be inspired.

Why do ethical people do unethical things?

Do you believe people are inherently honest and come across temptation that leads them astray; or are they fundamentally dishonest actively seeking out opportunities to cheat and deceive every chance they get?  Conditioning and inculturation certainly play a role in forming an answer but if we are serious about answering the question Why do ethical people do unethical things then it starts with which of these two philosophical views you hold? 

Oxymorons Inc

Oxymorons Inc is a business consultancy dedicated to the establishment of ethical business practice.  Business ethics though isn’t about self righteous indignation; nor is it about being soft on sustainable competitive advantage.  Performance at any cost isn’t difficult.  Performance while caring, deeply, about how you get there makes you exceptional.  Business ethics bridges the gap between the two.  Be inspired!