1. The Failure Of Success Williamsburg PDT December 7, 2018
VADM Lou Crenshaw CDFM
United States Navy, Retired
Williamsburg PDT
December 7, 2018

2. The Bathsheba Syndrome and You
The Bathsheba Syndrome: The ethical failure of successful leaders by Dean C. Ludwig & Clinton O. Longenecker

3. The Failure of Success
Ethical failures in leaders is a product of success, not pressure to perform
Success may cause leaders to shift focus from those things that made them successful to less important issues
Success leads to access to privileged information that may be abused
Success leads to unrestrained
control of an organization
Success leads to inflated ego,
leading one to believe they
can fix anything
David is not where he is supposed to be
left job to Joab, his right-hand man
delegation not the problem
lofty position let him see things he should not see
Bathsheba wife of Uriah
Sleeps with her
bring Uriah back
gets him drunk
give him note to Joab
after Uriah dies, sends notes that nothing wrong happened
Prophet Nathan, an outsider, exposed David

4. Takeaways
You are where you are to focus doing what is right for your organization, not yourself
There will always be temptations
Unethical behavior is a conscious choice and is driven by personal gratification, not the needs of an organization
It’s impossible to be unethical and
not implicate or involve others
Cover ups always do more damage
Not being caught doesn’t mean you got away with anything
Getting caught can destroy the leader, the organization, innocent people and everything the leader worked for
Those who are caught are always sorry

5. Why we lie
Source: “Why We Lie”, National Geographic, June 2017

6. How often do we lie
Source: “Why We Lie”, National Geographic, June 2017

7. Lying Fun Facts The ability to lie is in our DNA
Children begin to realize not everyone is being truthful around the age of 3
Lying is a sign of healthy cognitive growth (autistic children are not good at lying)
Children get better at lying with age
There is more than one alternative to lying
The more lies, the easier it is (amygdala less responsive)
There is no such thing as “Truth Serum”
People are more likely to lie in an than in a written letter
Law enforcement officials can lie to you about the evidence they have
You can tell the truth without being truthful
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,...Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

8. Sailing Directions
Set the standard
Use moral reminders (EAs work well)
Seek role models
Be self-aware
Attend to “nagging feelings”
Fill the “Knowing-Doing” gap
Seek advice
Practice ethical fitness
Get out of the office
Listen to and value all opinions (Don’t shoot the messenger)
Reflect. Make time for yourself everyday
Be a role model (you are whether you choose to be or not!)

9. How will it make me feel about myself?
Ethics Check
Is it legal?
Will I be violating either civil law or company policy?
Is it balanced?
Is it fair to all concerned in the short term as well as the long term?
Does it promote win-win relationships?
How will it make me feel about myself?
Will it make me proud?
Would I feel good if my decision was published in the newspaper?
Would I feel good if my family knew about it?
Source: The Power of Ethical Management by Ken Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale. William Morrow & Co. 1988

10. Some Final Thoughts ?