Volume XXXXVIII

Dear Manager,

In recent years I have detected an increased cynical outlook towards business. The old adage about one bad apple spoiling the whole box comes to mind. More and more, it seems to creep into day-to-day business. I find this outlook very disturbing, and altogether disappointing.

Certainly aspects of business have changed over the years. Good business and the standards to retain it have not. “Big is much, much bigger today.” But this was true ten, twenty, fifty years ago as well. The stories of “when I was a kid,” and the changes that have occurred, have gone on for multiple generations. While very little actually changes, the dynamics of everything change again and again. The fundamentals of ethics, by comparison, have changed very little. I believe that today’s competitive environment demands an even stronger sense of ethics than in past generations.

The baggage of cynicism comes with a lack of ability to trust anyone, even those who maintain a very high ethical standard. A cynic has compromised their willingness and ability to discern the difference! One person’s cynical approach has the potential to carve a wide path of doubt for those who lack the disposition to define their own conclusions. One bad apple …

THE EASY WAY OUT

It is certainly easier to cast aspersions on an entire segment of civilization than it is to set an example, expect high standards in others, and resolve to improve the standards of others with the process.

Are all businesses ethical in their practices? No. In order to create a positive environment and potential for change, we must first show trust in the most positive aspects of human nature. How are we to know, with absolute certainty, the ethical standards of another? At first blush, all individuals, all business, must be assumed to be morally and ethically sound. With this foundation, all of business can be judged and held accountable.

Given time, all animals will show their spots. Only then, will those who choose less-than-ethical standards be defined. Only at this given moment will our own ethical standards be tested. Accept the spots, challenge them, or move on.

Cynics show their true colors in all areas of business. Those who do not share their attitude are often caught flat-footed by the cynic’s potential to create chaos and mayhem. We’ve all known individuals whose focus is centered around their cynical approach. I always wonder what the outcome would be if their destructive efforts were focused instead towards a more successful and constructive challenge.

Those who take themselves out due to their condemning perspective are left with few options but to align themselves with less-than-ethical working environments. I have always believed that those who look for trouble will be drawn squarely back to their self fulfilling prophecy. Birds of a feather, cynics of a feather, find their just rewards. And the beat goes on!

I’m not suggesting that we live in a Mr. Rogers world. If we don’t maintain some sense of innocence and idealism (yes, just like when we were kids), standards become blurred. Everyone has the understanding and ability to be trusted. We must collectively hold the standard, and expect others to measure up. Only then can we find the best in our work environments.

Over the years I’ve been cautioned regarding the ethics of certain individuals. In practice, I’ve very rarely found these concerns to be relevant. Perhaps in my case they’ve held a higher standard. If this is so, then all parties have benefited for the relationship. The idealist in me would like to think this standard has helped them develop a frame of reference they’ll bring to their future relationships.

Our own attitude is essential to creating a greater ethical standard in management. When the motives of highly ethical individuals I’ve known are quizzed or second guessed, they simply have no foundation from which to respond. These individuals have no place in their thought process for a rebuttal, let alone an insight into the accuser’s mind-set. When conversing with a cynic, it is a pure waste of time to lower one’s standards to acknowledge and dignify their concerns and perspective.

As managers, we have no reason to accommodate cynical and suspicious speculations. If our intentions are consistently in question, either it’s deserved, or we have surrounded ourselves with individuals undeserving of our valuable time and expertise. In either instance, change is now required! Regardless of their talent, these individuals impact management’s credibility, the morale of one’s organization, and ultimately the organization’s roots and foundation. Cynicism, let alone unethical business practices, is truly a cancer of the most malignant form.

There are unethical elements in all aspects of life. This can be defined, this can be quantified. My greater concerns are for those desperate individuals whose cynicism plays a much greater role in day-to-day business operations. Their numbers are much greater, their hazard much greater, than the issues they purport to reform.

QUALITY TO THE ROOTS

In today’s challenging employment market, the lower spectrum of the job market takes on a greater visibility. Rocks are turned over and cynics crawl out. As managers, we must have the resolve and the patience to avoid the temptation of hiring purely on talent and less on character. As a voice with over thirty-five years of experience, I have found the price to be extraordinarily high.

The quality of our organization is always judged by the character of those with whom it is associated. Our ability to maintain these relationships is, in many cases, determined by the quality of one’s peers. The first clue in determining the ethics of an organization is to look beyond management to its roots: its staff members. All the answers are available to those who take a moment to listen.

The high road is essential to all aspects of business. Rather than subscribing to “prove to me your high ethical standards,” I would suggest “prove to me otherwise.”

Being able to manage from a perspective of face value and benefit of the doubt is essential to managing a business. Managers will make more mistakes than they choose to admit. Regardless, management deserves to be judged purely and simply on ability and performance, not on motives, personal agenda, or self serving egos.

Expecting the best in others will surround us with those who deserve to have the best expected of them.

Personal Regards,

Keenan

INTERPERSONAL© is published by INTERPERSONALBIZ.COM, Keenan Longcor, Editor, ©2009. Duplication of this publication is permitted for both personal and business use. Excerpts may only be quoted with acknowledgment of INTERPERSONAL/INTERPERSONALBIZ.ORG as the source. For re-publication rights, please contact the editor at KEENAN@INTERPERSONALBIZ.COM