When Does Integrity Die?
By Daniel E. Wimer, RN - Professional Life Coach
Eli Lilly & Co. will pay a combined $1.42 billion, that’s “B” as in billion (1000 million) in fines and settlements for their actions in marketing Zyprexa off label for dementia. “Off Label” is term the FDA uses when a medicine is used for some other reason than stated in the literature of the product. The CEO of Eli Lilly, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D. is not the Chief Ethical Officer of his company, he should be, but he is not. Bernard Madoff is a self-confessed crook, of a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, lacks integrity. Arthur Nadel disappeared leaving his investors holding worthless paper investments of $350 million. He was not the Chief Ethical Officer at Scoop Management, his company. Congressman Barnny Frank is allegedly pressured FANNIE MAE, FEDDY MAC, other banking, and mortage companies to make home loans to unqualified borrowers for political reasons. He is not a Chief Ethical Officer for the House of Representative’s Banking Committee, which he heads. One could go on seemingly forever in a in a never-ending list of public figures that have betrayed their trust.
When does our integrity die?
James E. Lukuaszerewski in a speech; “Avoiding Integrity” found in VITAL SPEECES of the day, (May 2007) 197-200. He states, rightly so, “… integrity as the inherent tendency in individuals and organizations to the right thing at every opportunity when with choice, options, or dilemmas.” He goes on, “Integrity is the oxygen that drives the ethics process. So long as people have to behave differently at work that they do at home . . . I call them ‘Insidious Unethical Behaviors’ can present and operating within an organization.” He calls the CEO the Chief Integrity Officer. I use Chief Ethical Officer but the meanings are the same.
Dr. Ronald W. Clement, of Pittsburgh State U. states;”...unethical behavior starts from top down.” The results of unethical decisions are, ultimately, the executives’ responsibility. Everyone has ethics good, bad, or indifferent, but how we apply our ethics to life makes us the people we are! In the 1987, film Wall Street by director Oliver Stone the character Gordon Gekko, portrayed by Michael Douglas, spoke the now famous line “Greed, for lack of a word, is good.” (Wikipedia 2009). Twenty years have not kind to Wall Street yet greed still lives in comfort for a few. What would Gekko say to the today’s Wall Streeter? “Do not get caught!” maybe.
Integrity cannot be sold or bought, the moment give in to sin you lose your right to be called an honest man.
“Better is a little income with righteousness than great wealth with injustice.” Proverbs 16:8.
“Reprinted with permission from D.E.Wimer, RN and Associates, inc. (copyright@ 2009 by D.E.Wimer, RN and Associates, inc. in Florida 813-997-6564)”About the Author-Daniel “Dan” Wimer is dedicated to helping you achieve the maximum results in your personal and professional life. He is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience in Psychiatric Nursing, and Professional Life Coach, with a BA in Psychology. Dan is a Communicator and a member of the National Speaker Association of Central Florida. Dan is a “3 Time Stroke Survivor” who specializing in motivational survival skills for business and individuals. His blog is Daniel Wimer -Professional Life Coach.
