The Tribune

CHAMBER VOICE

By IAN FERGUSON

QUESTIONS about ethical and moral behaviour in leadership are probably being asked around the country, particularly as we prepare for the electoral process. The question that stands out, though, is: 'How important is it for leaders to be men and women of integrity and good moral conduct'? Perhaps a good follow-up question to this one is: 'Can a leader serve with distinction, yet have moments of moral and ethical indiscretion?' Certainly, there are no clear-cut answers to these questions, but what is certain is that whether in the political, corporate, church or family community - the manner in which our leaders behave themselves matters.

It was John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton who said: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." We have all witnessed men and women who, from humble beginnings, became nothing short of 'monsters' in the corporate, political and religious environments, thinking of themselves as immortal. As much as we would like to think that people are able to maintain a high degree of integrity when they have been given awesome responsibility, history is too clear for us to ignore the fact that even the best of us fail. The notion that we need to engage, though, is how this failure adversely impacts productivity, efficiency and employee morale.

In corporate and political America, many leaders have, in recent times, fallen into serious moral and ethical dilemmas. We have seen them under severe public scrutiny and because of the rigorous investigations and clear standards that would have been initially established; most of them would have been terminated or impeached. In the absence of clearly articulated standards, lawless leaders run amok.

This may be a great part of our challenge as a nation. There must be some recourse or action taken against the male chief financial officer, manager or politician who irresponsibly has intimate relations and children with every female in the company or constituency. We have always heard that to whom much is given, much is required. If this statement bears true, then leaders MUST be held to higher standards.

The common response and rebuttal to the claim that leaders must be men and women of integrity is that an individual's personal life should not be factored into their corporate or political existence. Even sacred scripture chimes in on this topic, and sets the record straight on integrity in leadership. The question was asked: How can one desire to manage the church when one fails to have his own house under subjection? The truth is that indiscretion follows an individual everywhere in our society. The more people talk, the more damage is done to the person's character. This naturally affects how others relate to these persons. These communication and team-building barriers will ultimately take their toll.

Perhaps we can suspend our dialogue today by concluding on these points:

1. Bahamian leaders in all spheres are challenged in their personal and career morality

2. Despite a leader's ability to deliver great value to the company or country, these ethical challenges adversely impact the environment in which they work and serve

3. Our apparent lack of standards, or enforcement of those standards, for leaders further exacerbate the moral cesspool we are experiencing

4. Leaders must remain transparent with their shortcomings and pursue a path of righteousness when they offer themselves to serve in high public or private office

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

• Ian R. Ferguson was educated locally, regionally and internationally having earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Miami. During the course of his nearly twenty years in Education, Talent Management and Human Resources, he has served both the public and private sector in Senior Management roles. He currently serves as manager of the Institute and as a local consultant in the field having assisted hundreds of local and regional organizations improve in business and service excellence through their human capital.