Executive Leadership Course
Executive Leadership Course
Donald R. Keough writes “We can never pass enough laws to make men ethical.” He then illustrates this simple and insightful statement with the 71,000 U.S. federal regulations that were present during the Enron scandal.
Governments that attempt to legislate ethical or what some may call moral behaviors will always be doomed to failure. As I have said in my keynote presentations to other writings, the individuals at Enron were unethical before they walked through the doors. No one was forcing them to stay and commit unethical acts. These individuals made these choices for their own reasons based upon their own personal motivation.
Bernie Madoff is another example of someone who was unethical. Again, he was not forced to create a Ponzi scam that ripped billions of dollars from people who had placed incredible trust in him. He made this personal choice to engage in this behavior. Given his wealth of knowledge, he knew the laws, but he possibly determined either he was above the law or those administering the laws were just plain stupid and he was smarter.
So how does a business avoid unethical behavior? This begins by understanding that the core values or ethics are the foundation that figuratively encircles all business actions. To help you start the foundation for a culture of ethical behaviors, I wish to share this diagram with you. Of course, you will need to take pen, pencil or cursor and follow the directions.
First, draw a large circle. Next within that circle draw an inverse triangle where each point of the triangle touches the circumference of the circle. In the spaces between the circle and the triangle write core values. These words will appear 3 times as you should have 3 open spaces.
Now divide the triangle into 5 horizontal sections. Label these sections from the top down:
- Vision
- Mission
- Critical Success Factors
- Goals
- Action Steps
Finally below action steps at the tip of the inverted shape write this one word – Results.
When your diagram is complete you will see how all actions are within the core values of your organization. No action should be taken that violates what has already been predetermined as acceptable, positive behaviors. (Business Coaching Tip: Make sure you have invested the time to described and linked the desired behaviors to the articulated words within your values statement.)
Unfortunately, far too many businesses or organization lack a meaningful values statement and even worse yet fail to enforce it. Possibly the reason is the results are considered far more important than anything else.
Within this diagram, the results are not at the top of the pyramid but at the bottom. By changing the focusing and placing greater emphasis on the Vision, Mission and Critical Success Factors before even identifying the goals and the action steps helps to redirect behaviors to what is truly important because again all actions operate within the core values.
Laws cannot make human beings ethical. The executive leadership team of businesses and organizations are responsible for setting the behavior guidelines beginning during the hiring and recruiting process. Holding employees accountable for their actions is also critical otherwise the wink and the nod behavior takes over leaving the firm open to catastrophic failure such as demonstrated by Enron or Arthur Anderson.
Invest the time to revisit your values statement or write one if you do not have such a statement. Communicate these core ethical principles to everyone. Then look to the behaviors of yourself and your employees to ensure everyone is walking the talk.
MBA vs Executive Diploma, which one is better?
My company wants to send me for 6-month course that will help me to obtain an Executive Diploma in Leadership Skills. With this Executive Diploma I will be able to pursue Diploma in Business Administration (BA), and eventually Postgraduate Diploma in BA.
But the problem is, I am an MBA (Master in Business Administration) graduate, a course which took me 3 years to complete. Between MBA and Executive Diploma, which one is better? Should I still take up the 6-month course?
The MBA is better. Your MBA is a postgraduate degree so I don’t see the point in working for a lesser acknowledgment of your expertise. A degree always beats a diploma. Plus, an MBA has worldwide acceptance; a diploma in BA (or anything else) does not. If you want the Executive Diploma in Leadership, then let the company pay for it!
IRF Fellowship Orientation & Executive Leadership Program
No related posts.
Leave a Comment