As the father of four sons all of whom are Eagle Scouts, it has been an honor to see how thr Values which are taught along the trail to Eagle have embodied their work and relationships. For the most part, my best friends are Eagle Scout Dads. Common goals, missions, and blessings. I have prehired many a manager who place Eagle Scout on their resume. Its a medal by the way, not a badge. kw

The discussions related to the behavior of certain segments of the financial community and the observation that many individuals demonstrated a startling lack of ethical awareness. The recommendation was that business schools better add a stronger focus on ethics.

I found that thought laughable at the time . . . too little too late.

I’m not sure where ethics COME FROM – these people believe it is taught http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/canethicsbetaught.html as an example.

I do know for CERTAIN where ethics disappear TO – leaders who drag the unsuspecting neophyte into black holes. Many a boy scout, many a salesperson, many financial managers have been dragged down this black hole, this corruption vortex often without them realizing the day they crossed the ethical line. Once a “born leader/charismatic” has dragged them across the line the first time, it becomes easier and easier to drag them down further.

Scouting, “adult supervision” (e.g. Kweku Adoboli in his late twenties) and most of all leadership from the top of the organization establishes where the line is and that it may never be crossed.