Читать книгу Synergy Strategic Planning - Chris Alexander - Страница 18

Albert Einstein believed that human beings, to realize their potential, must have clear standards of right and wrong. The most important human endeavor, said Einstein, is striving for morality in our actions.

Morality, said the famous scientist, is what gives beauty and dignity to life. Following our animal instincts is not enough. Without high standards of right and wrong, men cannot live together in peace and friendship.

A business that maintains its integrity—its ethical core—maintains its customers, staff, and profitability. Individual executives and teams should make every effort to work and live in integrity. Integrity, by definition, means an adherence to a code of moral and ethical values—the quality and state of being completely aligned; to be one, to be whole, not separate. Making a prudent choice to connect and be one with a higher path means that our thoughts, values, attitudes, needs, and beliefs must be one with our behavior; to be authentic and trustworthy. This is a tough call. Living in integrity is difficult to even comprehend for those who believe that the means justify the end.

Choosing alignment and integrating core values in business means making a conscious choice to be transparent; that company policies, procedures, systems, culture, communications, and structure are all congruent and reflected in daily behavior and actions. Integration builds an interlinking, internal strength that will stand the test of time.

That means that all the core values we choose, we live. That we are a product of our own voice, not a game player or a manipulator. It takes inner strength from the senior executive team to stay with what’s right and strength to keep to their word. It means honoring commitments. It is the strength to stay away from being deceitful, cheating, stealing, betraying, and speaking with a “forked tongue.” It is having an inner resolve that is based on respect and honor for ourselves, others, and the way business should be conducted.

In the final analysis, we are judged on the lasting differences we leave behind. To make a positive difference that echoes down through time clearly takes a higher path of doing business.