Friday, January 6, 2012
Corruption is the product of greed, who can lead?
It is an indisputable fact that any social structure built on dishonesty is on shaky grounds, and business is a very important member of society. There are common cultures of greed that manifest it in corrupt and unethical leadership behaviors. Something is very wrong, call someone a leader with corrupt tendencies, I agree 100%. But a fair question will be, how many other business "leaders" like the Enron, world com, Tyco, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the list can go on and on, who decimated the lives and life savings of millions of employees and investors are still leading big and influential institutions? The same individuals who are preaching "value driven leadership”, The main challenge which the "rare leader" will face today is to restore a culture where management respect vital principles, so called old fashioned virtues, optimism, hard work, strength of character, a culture where leaders PRACTICE and encourage ambition to excel through hard work and where leaders good conduct must be the standards for others.
Part of the dilemma is caused by the new phenomenon "flavor of the month leadership" every time we faced change, we defined leadership with new bells and whistles e.g. in the new digital era with innovative technology and convergence, will obviously highlight certain new expertise, but the "rare leader" with timeless characteristics don't fear to bring more accomplished individuals in required areas around him.
The challenge is very complex, where businesses compete globally with companies with leaders with different morals, at the end culture is a product of leadership, the future depends on people, and in order to be successful, people depends on leaders with unquestionable strong values and principles a person of strong character with the ability to adapt and must feel comfortable in an ever changing global environment. To explain the magnitude of this insidious disease of "GREED" I would like to share a few well researched statistics.
> Corruption cost to global business is equal to 5% of global GDP(2.6 trillion USD), a survey done (every 2nd year) by the ethics code commission of USA, show that 68% of pupils admitted to cheating at least ones during exams in 2011, 40% of all retail/manufacturing businesses admit to employee theft, BDO global statistics show that company fraud, theft and corruption cost the South African business community 100 Billion Rand per annum, it also show that 7% of turnover (companies) was being lost to same behaviors. Up to 30% of all bankruptcies in small business are due to employee theft. Statistics, hard facts, I don't think that there is one informed human being who is not fully aware of this cancer, that need to be faced and dealt with.
Timeless leadership qualities must be above specific challenges organizations will face for different some foreseen others unforeseen the "rare leader" must be able to adapt very quickly without compromising other qualities that will form his platform from where he will show leadership and make decisions leader with deeper values and sense of higher purpose led to higher level of follower commitment. The nature of leaders emotional consciousness, connection to others is also apparent, growing interest is genuineness, authenticity, credibility, and trustworthiness.
We need leaders that can be bold, the opportunity to make decisions present any moment, time sometimes not, some decisions will result in showering praise other darkening with blame, this is not for the meek. But to stuck in neutral brings no chance for success only fear of repeated failure. Be bold and speak loudly in your choice and move forward towards a solution. Whatever you do stay true to yourself, true to the spirit of commitments, relationships with a clear understanding of what is wrong and right and what is also true. Your decisions will not only be judged on your intentions but the outcome is critically important. The leader with hard earned credibility can make the tough decisions that some will support more than other, but his integrity and character will never be questioned.
DRAFTED BY: Corne Ferreira
DRAFTED BY: Corne Ferreira
