Who Are These People? 12-12-02
- By Rita Risser

When you hear about corporate executives who've been caught breaking the law, do you ever wonder, "Who are these people?" What makes someone a corporate criminal? Could you ever get drawn into an illegal scheme at work?

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, has researched the issue and says there is an ethical continuum in the workplace. First are the self-directed people. They pretty much ignore what's going on with competitors inside and outside the company, and instead focus on creating great products, providing great service, and building great companies. Most of us probably think we're in this group.

A bit further along the continuum, are the "malleable masses." These are the people who get drawn into it, one step at a time. It doesn't happen like this: your CEO says, "This might not be legal. Is that a problem for anybody?" Most of us in that situation would say yes, it's a problem. But that's not how it happens. The malleable masses are drawn in step-by-step. They go from step A, to step B, to step C - and one day find themselves at step Z.

Next are the conscious opportunists. They're the ones who know it's wrong, but who believe everyone else is doing it, and this is their one chance to get in and out before the whole thing crashes.

At the bottom of the continuum are the architects of evil. Like the executive in the cartoon who's thinking, "Hmm, what would Satan do?" They understand how to manipulate people into taking step A, step B, all the way to step Z. They are frequently charismatic leaders whom people want to believe.

Throughout history, there have always been evil people in business. What was different in the 1990s, according to Collins' research, is that the group of conscious opportunists grew bigger faster. These were the people who didn't care what happened, as long as they got theirs. They were the ones who were just plain greedy.

Which one are you? Self-directed, malleable, opportunist, or evil?

No matter what you are, even if you're evil, you might not be currently engaging in illegal activities. Or you might. How can you tell if you're involved in an unethical situation? The best protection is knowledge of the law. Take training classes. Read books. It's your responsibility to educate yourself. Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse - and if you're ignorant, you're in trouble.

If you don't have time to read a book right now, there is a sort of "test" you can use to measure your degree of culpability. Actually, there are four tests, one for each type on the continuum.

If you're self-directed, use the Stress Test to know if you're in an unethical situation. Good people in bad situations get stressed - they can't sleep at night, they can't eat or they overeat, they drink, they have headaches. Listen to your body. If you have a gut feeling something is wrong - it is.

(If you have these reactions but there is nothing unethical going on at work, look at the rest of your life, and take steps to reduce your stress.)

If you're malleable, use the Friends Test. How would you feel telling your friends, your family, or members of your faith about what's going on at work? How would they feel if they heard about what you're doing?

If you're a greedy opportunist, use the Newspaper Test. What would be the impact on your career if this were publicized in the media?

If you're evil, use the Lawyer Test. If you wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "Maybe I should talk to a lawyer," that's a bad sign.

What you should do:
If you think you might be in an unethical situation, follow these steps:

• Ask questions to get as much information as possible. Don't make assumptions. Make sure you have all the relevant facts.
• Ask the in-house experts. Talk to the legal department, corporate accounting, or corporate compliance officer.
• If necessary, ask outside experts. There are lawyers, advocacy groups, and government agencies where you can get information and advice, without divulging the name of the company.

If you are asked to do something you believe to be illegal:

• Just say no.
• Document everything.
• File a formal internal complaint.
• If necessary, file claims with government agencies.

If you are a manager who receives a complaint, immediately refer it to internal channels. Follow up to ensure appropriate action is taken. Document everything. Be scrupulously fair with an employee who files a complaint, to avoid any claim of retaliation.

If you are the one who files a complaint, keep documentation of your good work performance so you don't give your employer ammunition to fire you.

Whether you are an employee or a manager, you are an ethical leader. Whether you intend to or not, you are setting an ethics example. The only question is, are you setting a good example - or a bad one?

If you want to set a good example, then be a leader of spirit. What does that mean? Two things: Being a leader of spirit means you are virtuous. And being a leader of spirit means you have courage. It takes courage to be virtuous in today's world, but it can be done.

Do you want to be a leader of spirit? Then do it.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.