Years ago, when I was CEO of my record manufacturing company in Hollywood, I happened to walk around the plant into the press room just as Bobby, one of the employees\u2019 favorite coworkers, was offering stolen merchandise to his fellow pressmen from a bag he was carrying.\u00a0 He halted, and waited for me to react, obviously caught in the act.\u00a0 \u00a0Everyone loved Bobby, a hard worker and good friend.\u00a0 But I fired him on the spot; the only possible response to the situation presented me so suddenly.\u00a0 After initial shock, a number of employees came to me that day and said that they understood how hard that decision was, but that they knew it was the right thing to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You will find many times during your management years when such decisions are placed before you, requiring quick unwavering response to an ethical challenge to you or your company.\u00a0 How you comport yourself in these situations is absolutely the litmus test for how your company culture will reflect your actions.\u00a0 Take home company supplies for personal use?\u00a0 Your employees will surely follow your lead, no matter what the policy.\u00a0 Treat personal expenses at company cost, and your sales people will feel just fine doing the same until caught.\u00a0 Behave without regard for an individual\u2019s dignity when separating an employee who is a direct report, and other managers will feel little compunction to spend the extra time and energy softening their actions.\u00a0 Alter any accounting result for the sake of making a month look good, and your accounting department will get the message that GAAP accounting is just for show.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is not easy to always be the moral compass for the organization, but it is the right thing and cannot be compromised.\u00a0 And you will continue to enjoy the stories of times taking the high road as retold to you by your employees over time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Years ago, when I was CEO of my record manufacturing company in Hollywood, I happened to walk around the plant into the press room just as Bobby, one of the employees\u2019 favorite coworkers, was offering stolen merchandise to his fellow … Continue reading