Opinion
TECHNICIAN
PAGE 6 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
Success in business is built on ethical behavior The average media depiction of the successful businessperson is almost indistinguishable from that of a career criminal. From movies such as “Margin Ca l l ” a nd Colin “Wall Street” to shows McKnight like “Suits” and “House Staff Columnist of Cards,” a message is reinforced, time and time again, that only the evil can rise to the top. The film “American Psycho” even makes that exact same comparison between the elite and the butcher. The unsettling thing is, switching from the silver screen to the real headlines doesn’t bring much of a change. Bernie Madoff is a prime example of a thriving criminal who got away with it, and would’ve continued getting away with it if it weren’t for his own family turning him in. Another is Bernard Ebbers, founder and former CEO of WorldCom, who was charged with fraud valued at more than $11 billion in 2005. Thus, with all these stories, both fictional and real, of billion-dollar cutthroats, it can be discouraging as to whether or not the honest, the ethical, and the nose-to-thegrindstone actually have a chance. Thankfully, history has shown that minus a few inevitable examples, the good can triumph over the morally dubious, no matter how tempting the latter may appear. Leigh Shamblin, professor and Director of Leadership in the Poole College of Management, believes that the straight and narrow is ultimately the better path. She argued that, while the unethical workers may, very occasionally, get away with it, “in general, what makes people successful is that they find ways to be transparent, deliver value, to be good leaders, so I think in the long run, the ethical approach is always best.” Indeed, the potential blowbacks of success through questionable means calls to mind the image of walking a high wire. Madoff and Ebbers, along with many others, were caught and convicted, despite pricey protection from their lawyers and cohorts. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years, and Ebbers was sentenced to 25 years, with a civil lawsuit stripping away nearly all his wealth.
With all the agencies, watchdogs and internal whistleblowers of the modern world, it begs the question of if there is, realistically, any chance to actually succeed in such a manner, since one minor slip-up could spell disaster. And even if there is a chance for profit, you must consider if having to constantly look over your shoulder still makes it worthwhile. And if you do get caught, the consequences will be catastrophic. Fines, prison time and the end of your career are just some of those risks. But it won’t just be you devastated by the outcome: Managing Values listed examples of whole corporations being fined massive sums, with HSBC Bank breaking records with a $1.9 billion fine for laundering money to drug cartels and terrorist organizations, amongst other things. Additionally, you also have to live with knowing that you achieved success through morally dubious methods, a concept that many boastful people claim they could easily “get over,” but reality finds a way of haunting consciences. Yes, the high road can be harder, and the shortcuts to prosperity are tempting, but the ethical approach can be just as successful. Jessica Thomas with the NC State B Corp Clinic points out that some of the biggest names in certain industries, such as Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Ben & Jerry’s, are “certified B Corporations,” meaning that these organizations’ missions go above and beyond the profit margin to focus on ethical and charitable efforts. She added that, while honorable efforts by companies may not make headlines like negative actions do, these types of companies “have been successful from operating in an ethically-responsible manner.” Real success is demanding. It requires hard work, dedication, a lot of sacrifice, and, oftentimes, an uncomfortable amount of luck. With all that kind of pain, it’s worth wondering if greatness through trial is really all that great. But the downsides of the alternate route do not make the reward worth the risk: constant fear of retribution, the knowledge that your decisions are immoral and the heavy guilt that what you’ve made isn’t truly yours. Both paths in life are demanding, but the latter route, despite the mythology, will fail to satisfy.
Thoughts from our readers: A selection of comments sent to us from readers in short form over the past week, with their sources listed below.
“What’s fascinating to me is how people just accept any accusation as truthful regardless of the circumstances, context, due process, or even evidence (or lack thereof)…” -Charlie Sanders, via Facebook, comment on “How college rape culture found its way to the supreme court”
“IF ONLY there were some way to see if there was merit to these accusations... like an investigation????.. oh well I guess we should just accept his denial as truthful regardless of the circumstances. Fascinating” -Emma Smart, via Facebook, comment on “How college rape culture found its way to the Supreme Court”
“Back when I was a student I used to go to anything I could. I felt like all student athletes are representatives of us as a student body and should be supported and cheered. I was lucky enough to be there to sees the greatest Coach Kay there ever was.” -Kimberly Lou Jewell-Annis, via Facebook, comment on “Students should attend other NC State games besides football”
“Wew what a waste of time and money for a self congratulatory pat on the back that ultimately accomplishes nothing at all” -Chris Vincent, via Facebook, comment on “Newly named University Activities Board gives insight to recent name change”
