Ethical Slips: The Irresistible Urge to Cheat

One of my CEO leadership coaching clients knows that for his company to thrive she needs to create a climate of trust and credibility. I am consulting with members of the company senior leadership team to consider firing a company vice president. The vice president has betrayed everyone’s trust by cheating.

The CEO knows that thriving in the future depends on all company leaders modeling the qualities of good leadership. She is empowering her leadership team to create a culture of trust and accountability. Human Resources is partnering with the CEO in helping the company repair the trust that was broken. Our current executive coaching and leadership consulting work is focused on helping leaders and all employees model trust and accountability.

Ethical Slips and the Irresistible Urge to Cheat

Even with a solid foundation of good moral values, no one is immune to making unethical choices.

Ethical slips and traps are rampant, from telling white lies that protect a friend, to ignoring a gut feeling and following orders when we know better.

Not a month goes by without some highly publicized ethical scandal. Be it tax evasion, executive pay excesses, sexual dalliances and outright fraud, many individuals are simply unable to resist temptation.
Does this make the perpetrators corrupt sociopaths?

Sometimes, but usually not. They’re often leaders and pillars of the community, and their actions leave us shaking our heads and wondering what were they thinking.

The sad truth? No one is immune. Cheating isn’t limited to those in positions of power. While power is certainly fraught with opportunities and temptations, each of us faces daily choices that involve doing the right—or wrong—thing. Only when a CEO, politician, celebrity or sports legend gets caught does the problem rise to front-page news. Just ask Tiger Woods.

But the same ethical traps lie in your path. Even the little guys transgress. Often, people feel an urge to cheat—a strange pull to try to get away with something. Sometimes it’s small; other times it’s scandalous. Sometimes it matters; other times it goes unnoticed.

What exactly happens inside our heads when we choose to violate our ethical standards? Do we lose sight of what’s right? Do we take the easy way out? Are we driven to win at any price? Are we attracted to our “dark side?"

Are you working in a company or law firm where leaders demonstrate honesty and integrity when things get tough? Does your company or law firm provide leadership coaching and leadership development to help leaders be trustworthy? During tough economic times, leaders need to fully engage their people in building a culture of trust and accountability.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Am I a leader who is honest and models integrity?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching and leadership development for leaders who want to create an environment where employees trust company leaders.

Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you create an organization that trust it’s leaders will do the right thing. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.

I am currently accepting new executive coaching, career coaching, and leadership consulting clients. I work with both individuals and organizations. Call 415-546-1252 or send an inquiry e-mail to mbrusman@workingresources.com