Ethical Change Management
Ethical Change Management
In a business climate tainted by scandals such Enron, Tyco and Adelphia, it is much more ‘professional’ and MBA-like to discuss solutions to management problems with strategies more along the lines of Corporate Governance, Sarbanes-Oxley and Fiduciary Duties… than by reacquainting readers with the Golden Rule. Yet, despite the depreciation of the simple in light of the complex and insanely expensive, there is still great value to gain by going back to the basics.
The Golden Rule is short, sweet and to the point. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” There’s not much there, it won’t fill up the proverbial yellow binder, and it’s rather difficult to wrap a week long (expensive) seminar around the concept.
Adhere to the Golden Rule, and deceit becomes impossible. Obey it, and the notion of keeping two sets of books is inconceivable. Follow the Golden Rule, and ask others to monitor our actions against that rule, and the Sarbanes-Oxley structure of checks and balances become superfluous.
For all its brevity and simplicity, the Golden Rule has weight, and if diligently followed, it’s a constant and reliable moral compass. It’s also a succinct guide to good people management.
There isn’t a single culture which doesn’t have some variation of the Golden Rule at the heart of their primary religion. Here are just some of these variations;
Baha'i Faith. Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. Buddhism. Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Christianity. In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Confucianism. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. Hinduism. This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
In a business climate tainted by scandals such Enron, Tyco and Adelphia, it is much more ‘professional’ and MBA-like to discuss solutions to management problems with strategies more along the lines of Corporate Governance, Sarbanes-Oxley and Fiduciary Duties… than by reacquainting readers with the Golden Rule. Yet, despite the depreciation of the simple in light of the complex and insanely expensive, there is still great value to gain by going back to the basics.
The Golden Rule is short, sweet and to the point. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” There’s not much there, it won’t fill up the proverbial yellow binder, and it’s rather difficult to wrap a week long (expensive) seminar around the concept.
Adhere to the Golden Rule, and deceit becomes impossible. Obey it, and the notion of keeping two sets of books is inconceivable. Follow the Golden Rule, and ask others to monitor our actions against that rule, and the Sarbanes-Oxley structure of checks and balances become superfluous.
For all its brevity and simplicity, the Golden Rule has weight, and if diligently followed, it’s a constant and reliable moral compass. It’s also a succinct guide to good people management.
There isn’t a single culture which doesn’t have some variation of the Golden Rule at the heart of their primary religion. Here are just some of these variations;
Baha'i Faith. Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. Buddhism. Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Christianity. In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Confucianism. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. Hinduism. This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.