Success in business is built on ethical behavior

Opinion

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 Call” and “Wall Street” to shows like “Suits” and “House 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 Colin McKnight there is a chance for profit, you must consider if having to constantly look over your shoulder still makes it worthwhile. Staff Columnist 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.

TECHNICIAN

PAGE 6 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

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”

Opinion PAGE 7 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 TECHNICIAN Attending a conference can bring life to your education

In our complicated lives as college students, it is difficult to think of going somewhere during the semester (except during the breaks). At least this is what I used to think, until I attended a conference in Florida during one weekend in September. Attending the conference reformed my thinking in multiple ways.

It is important to maintain efficiency while working during the semester, but it is difficult to do so if one gets caught up in a monotonous routine. A short trip is a great way to break this cycle. Many fields have conferences that undergraduate and graduate students are able to attend, and grants to attend these can be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Research, at least for students presenting their research, as well as other university sources.

For instance, the conference I attended was in Orlando, Florida. In addition to learning a great deal, in the evening I got an opportunity to go to Universal Studios, which was one of the most awesome experiences of my life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the part of the studios dedicated to the Harry Potter movies, but the effect of this enjoyment was more important than the process of enjoyment itself. I was revitalized and inspired to work harder after my trip. It also helped me realize why I had been so bored and inefficient during the semester.

Attending this type of conference has an academic benefit too. I had an opportunity to learn many new things about the social effect of research and other interesting topics during the conference. Learning something different from the regular academic stuff is a positive change of scenery for a weary mind.

For example, before attending, I was only aware of research and industrial applications of the knowledge I had gained. Through this conference, I realized I can also use my skills to reach out to people in underserved communities, especially children who might be interested in STEM fields, to help them fulfill their potential.

Another big advantage of attending conferences, or other short trips, is that they help an individual with networking and meeting professionals who are active and experienced in the field of their choice. This allows students like me to know what exactly is needed to enter and excel in that field.

For example, the hotel in which I was staying for the duration of the conference was also hosting a conference for Microsoft, which is developing projects aligned with my professional interests. I briefly met some people from Microsoft, and my

conversations with them helped me realize what I lacked professionally and the tools I need to master for landing a job at Microsoft. Moreover, I gained several potentially useful LinkedIn contacts in just a matter of minutes. Paritosh Gaiwak I also met an amazing professor from NC State who is exploring an area which aligns with my own research interests. I discussed Staff Columnist the possibility of collaborating with her and, although it’s still in nascent stages, I feel hopeful that I can work on some projects with her next semester. Conferences are a productive way to break out of a daily routine while also developing professionally. And if you have a research paper to present your own findings, that’s even better. Such trips are not a waste of time either, since you can develop more contacts and learn about the latest developments in your field which will help you build your profile.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

FROM ANONYMOUS

Sept 2018

Dear Mr Noah Jabusch:

I am writing to you to express my opinion on a subject that happened on campus this summer, in the hopes that you will have the courage to put it in print in your “Technician”. I know that i am not alone….

With regard to the beautiful 3, 4, 5 trees (not sure how many) that got BRUTALLY cut down in the name of progress?…. (on Cates ave.)

Who’s idea was that? They cut these trees down that were how old? Then demolished an old building to build a new 1?

O WOW…. This is a university campus of learning? Such a Waste We are such a throw away society with no regard for anyone or anything else.

Man has trully messed up the environment.

When all the trees are gone, human life will cease to exist……just sayin –

Please print this in it’s entirety without editing or paraphrasing my words.

Thank you