My topic in today's column is about ethics and leadership. As I was preparing to write this column I said, "Why not write on the power of ethics?" I hope you readers are able to benefit from a portion of the following text.
First, though, let me set the record straight. I did not create the thoughts I am about to pass along – they belong to Ken Blanchard, author of "One Minute Manager" and also to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. I don’t want to get caught in a "Biden-ism."
As I began to read about ethics, I found it very refreshing to remind myself of the five principles of “Ethical Power for Individuals.” I think with ethics in the workplace making a comeback, this is a good topic.
The five are Purpose, Pride, Patience, Persistence and Perspective.
Purpose: I see myself as being an ethically sound person. I let my conscience be my guide. No matter what happens, I am always able to face the mirror, look myself straight in the eye and feel good about myself.
Pride: I feel good about myself. I don’t need the acceptance of other people to feel important. A balanced self-esteem keeps my ego and my desire to be accepted from influencing my decisions.
Patience: I believe that things will eventually work out well; I don’t need everything to happen right now. I am at peace with what comes my way.
Persistence: I stick to my purpose, especially when it seems inconvenient to do so. My behavior is consistent with my intentions. As Churchill said, "Never! Never! Never give up!"
Perspective: I take time to enter each day quietly in a mood of reflection. This helps me to get myself focused if and allows me to listen to my inner self and to see things more clearly.
In the area of persistence, I can't help but add a short piece penned by the late Ray Kroc
Nothing can take
the place of
persistence.
Talent will not;
nothing is more common
than unsuccessful men
with great talent.
Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is
almost a proverb.
Education will not;
the world is full of
educated derelicts.
Persistence and
determination
alone are omnipotent.
Some postscripts of my own come to mind as I review the aforementioned five principles. My version goes as such:
Purpose: There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Pride: People with humility don’t think less of themselves, they just think about themselves less.
Patience: Nice guys may finish last, but usually they’re running in a different race.
Persistence: Trying is just a noisy way of not doing something,
Perspective: Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
Good food for thought. I hope you have your fill.
First, though, let me set the record straight. I did not create the thoughts I am about to pass along – they belong to Ken Blanchard, author of "One Minute Manager" and also to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. I don’t want to get caught in a "Biden-ism."
As I began to read about ethics, I found it very refreshing to remind myself of the five principles of “Ethical Power for Individuals.” I think with ethics in the workplace making a comeback, this is a good topic.
The five are Purpose, Pride, Patience, Persistence and Perspective.
Purpose: I see myself as being an ethically sound person. I let my conscience be my guide. No matter what happens, I am always able to face the mirror, look myself straight in the eye and feel good about myself.
Pride: I feel good about myself. I don’t need the acceptance of other people to feel important. A balanced self-esteem keeps my ego and my desire to be accepted from influencing my decisions.
Patience: I believe that things will eventually work out well; I don’t need everything to happen right now. I am at peace with what comes my way.
Persistence: I stick to my purpose, especially when it seems inconvenient to do so. My behavior is consistent with my intentions. As Churchill said, "Never! Never! Never give up!"
Perspective: I take time to enter each day quietly in a mood of reflection. This helps me to get myself focused if and allows me to listen to my inner self and to see things more clearly.
In the area of persistence, I can't help but add a short piece penned by the late Ray Kroc
Nothing can take
the place of
persistence.
Talent will not;
nothing is more common
than unsuccessful men
with great talent.
Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is
almost a proverb.
Education will not;
the world is full of
educated derelicts.
Persistence and
determination
alone are omnipotent.
Some postscripts of my own come to mind as I review the aforementioned five principles. My version goes as such:
Purpose: There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Pride: People with humility don’t think less of themselves, they just think about themselves less.
Patience: Nice guys may finish last, but usually they’re running in a different race.
Persistence: Trying is just a noisy way of not doing something,
Perspective: Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
Good food for thought. I hope you have your fill.