I share a similar concern about a code of conduct potentially being reduced to only those items mentioned in the WSJ article (lying, cheating and stealing). My inital thought was there has to be more than these three.
So I started to think about my own firm and the strict rules we have for how we conduct business. As the leader of an independent research firm on stocks and corporate performance, we have three rules regarding the data we publish: 1) Accuracy, 2) Accuracy and 3) Accuracy. No room exists for any other type of publication.
Anyone violating these rules would be either faking (lying) or manipulating (cheating) the data to their own advantage. Or they could alter or erase pieces of the data (stealing).
Could it be that there are only 3 primary issues cover all that is necesseary for a code of conduct: lying, cheating or stealing?
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Recent Comments | 4 Total
July 15, 2004 at 9:03am by Frank Patrick
Yesterday's "All Things Considered" on NPR had a piece on the honor code at West Point. In it was mentioned a three-part test, which, if I remember it correctly, was along the lines of 1) Is deception involved?, 2) Is an unfair advantage over another involved?, 3) Would I not want to be on the receiving end of this action?
July 16, 2004 at 1:18am by Roger
I wonder if it's the competitive environment in the job market which makes people believer of short term benefit.
And the well acceptance of small lies to secure one's own benefit which change the rule of conduct in many large firms in Asia.
I found that even in multi-national corporate in Asia nowadays, both back office staff and sales staff tends to play "information is power", and they assume access to information and contacts is what their value lies.
So release as little information as possible and gain as much exposure to information and contacts becomes their major code of conduct.
In the past 10 years, I think this is the difference between a small local firm and multinational, but now it happens to be the same rule applies.
This creat a gap between market knowledge and decisions in most companies.
July 19, 2004 at 3:37pm by James Durbin
The Washington and Lee University honor code is the strongest in the country, and based on the idea that you do not lie, cheat, steal, or otherwise conduct yourself in an ungentlemanly manner.
There is no need to quanitfy behaviors or penalties for degrees of dishonor, because there is no degree of honor. You are either honorable, or not honorable.
Adding new tests opens the door for poor behavior slipping through the cracks.
Which is why simple codes are the best - for example, "to learn how to treat a lady well, never say or do anything in front of a lady that your grandmother would disapprove of."
It's the same with codes of conduct.
July 19, 2004 at 10:25pm by Windy Moore
These are all very focused and lucid responses. That is a credit to FastCompany for the fine quality of the FastCompany product. In staving off a repeat of the 9/11 attacks on the WTC- I have found that honor is the last thing owned by US politicians. When companies have high standards on the whole, one wonders how the big cheez such as Carly Fiorina can be so glib about the wide promise of globalism for her firm when there has been no clear solution made for homeland security- especially not one that takes into account the most forward technology based solutions. its been tough.
re" hard tacks
I hope FastCompany readers can benefit by the opportunity to participate in www.alwayson-network.com By clicking on Events at the top of the page- they can see the many recorded
topics that comprised last week's Summit at Stanford U. and play them on Real or Windows Media Player. Of note, joining in order to be able to blog is free, and simple. after joining you can even post your own article. Obviously Heath Row should do so. The topics include "why the revolution won't be televized, etc. on the Summit
agenda. The site needs support to keep the issues to the front of the industry. Although FastCompany is best- it doesn't have the same potencial reach.
reach out and make some waves!