Inetgrity:The Control of a Dream :: Economics Businesses Papers

Integrity:The Control of a Dream Last year I spoke to you on Patriotism, the Belief in a Dream. I tried to relate this subject to the commitment one feels to employees, suppliers, and customers from the day they first start their business until it is molded into success, and beyond. I termed Patriotism as a love for and devotion to the success of the business. During the journey of building and running a business there are numerous challenges that test the meddle of the many individuals involved. The foundation of this business must be built on a bedrock of integrity or these challenges will destroy it overnight. But what is integrity and how can you get it ? Webster’s dictionary defines the word as soundness of and adherence to moral principal and character going further to say that it is a state of being whole, entire, or undiminished, in perfect condition. It is not hereditary. It is more about breeding than birth. It is a â€Å"second nature† developed through education, experience, and choice. One needs to pay more attention to virtues like honesty, integrity, responsibility, respectfulness, and fairness to build the character that can help you navigate the ever changing world of business. Teddy Roosevelt reportedly said, â€Å"To educate a person in the mind but not morals is to educate a menace to society†. Rarely has this been more evident than in the past few years where we have seen the highly educated managers of once respected corporations such as Enron, Arthur Anderson, WorldCom and others wreck havoc on our economy. In the last decade we have shown great concern about the low moral code being proliferated by the media, the entertainment industry, fast rising businesses, and even our top elected officials. I do not see where much has been done to correct a glaring issue that tears at the very heart of American society. Building Character isn’t easy. It starts with attentiveness but it’s not just a matter of hanging posters or listing virtues. It requires serious and sustained effort to enhance the ethical consciousness, commitment, and competence of our workers and our families. Our domestic school system is thought to be taking the issue more seriously, but most are only giving it lip service. Cheating and disrespect flourish in classrooms and on sports fields; and young people are unintentionally nudged toward moral agnosticism, or a belief that there really is no right or wrong.