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THE BATHSHEBA SYNDROME: Conquering The Ethical Temptations of Success!
2 Samuel 11
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THE CALL FOR DEALING WITH ETHICAL/MORAL CHALLENGES
IN THE WORKPLACE “Any business leader worth their salt needs to lead by example, which is not an easy thing to do these days…All of us need to be reminded on a regular basis that a leader’s reputation and lifetime of work can be destroyed in an instant by making unethical or immoral decisions in the workplace…It is imperative to guard your heart from going down the dark paths that confront all of us!” CFO Fortune 1000 Service Organization Today, more so than ever the Army has a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy on ethical failures
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What Do All of these People Have in Common?
Judge Roy Moore Harvey Weinstein Al Franken TOP: Harvey Weinstein, Senator Al Franken, You, Judge Roy Moore BOTTOM: Gen David Petraeus, President Bill Clinton, King David David Petraeus President Bill Clinton King David
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LikablePeople Great Success Ethical Failure Cover-up (-) Aftermath
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What is the Upside of Success?
Better Position/Title More Influence Increased Status Better Rewards/Perks Additional Recognition Greater Latitude Larger Associations Expanded Access Ability to Set Agendas Decision Making Control Less Direct Supervision Additional Resources Greater Influence What is the Upside of Success?
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What is the Downside of Success?
Inflated Ego Emotionally Expansive Self-Gratification Mindset Unbalanced Personal Life Fewer Real Friends Focus on Self vs. Org. Sense of Isolation Increased Stress Sense of Emptiness Fear of Failure Organizational Auto-pilot Strategic Complacency
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Do Not Let Your Success Overrun Your Character!
WARNING! Do Not Let Your Success Overrun Your Character!
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A QUICK REVIEW: A Case Study in a Profound Failure of Leadership: King David and Bathsheba
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THE ACCOUNT OF KING DAVID AND BATHSHEBA
Historical Facts (2 Samuel 11-12) David has a track record of success from a young age after his victory over the giant Goliath early in his career and over the enemies of his country during his reign as king.
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David is the successful 50 year old king of the nation of Israel in the 10th year of his reign. He is a warrior, entrepreneur, visionary, poet, musician, strategist and charismatic leader with a career of principled, faith-based behavior. He is a KING who has it all!
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David is very popular among his people and controls vast resources and territories. The nation is at the peak of its success and prosperity in ancient times. Feared by his enemies because of his military prowess and strength.
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David is already married and has over a dozen wives.
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite one of Israel’s top military leaders who was at the front during the time of this “incident.”
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THE BATHSHEBA SYNDROME
When successful leaders, with track records of hard work, effectiveness and integrity reach a point in their career, where they throw it all away by engaging in an activity which is wrong, which they know is wrong, which they know would lead to their downfall if discovered, and which they mistakenly believe they have the power to conceal. But I’m not a king! It could never happen to me!
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Success Can Change Our:
EGO ACCESS CONTROL RESOURCES EXPANSIVENESS ACCOUNTABILITY
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WARNING: When taken together, success, and its consequences, can open the door for ethical temptations and failure for all of us if we are not diligent!
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KEY LESSONS FOR CONQUERING THE ETHICAL TEMPTATIONS OF SUCCESS
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Every Leader faces ‘Bathsheba’ (temptations) that they must conquer if they are to remain successful and build on that success
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Define Temptation? Give examples Personal and Public
What is unique to you? Your age group? Your position, rank? 1. A desire for something bad or unacceptable: a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong, “yield to temptation;” 2. Incitement of a specific desire: the stimulation of desire or craving in somebody for something usually considered to be wrong or not good for a person; and, 3. Cause of desire: somebody or something that tempts an individual or group with something that is not in their best interest.
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Why does it increase as you increase in rank?
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Forewarned is forearmed – Col. Robert Abernathy What does it mean to develop a temptation ‘map’?
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Manipulation and/or falsifying data
COMMON WORKPLACE ETHICAL TEMPTATIONS N= 137 Leaders Bigger the Font the Greater the Exposure Manipulation of hiring decisions Misuse of resources Misuse of insider knowledge Abusing position power Sexual encounters Manipulation and/or falsifying data Stealing resources Knowingly violating policy Offering/accepting bribes False testimony/Lying Alcohol/Drugs
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ A personal code of conduct or mantra clearly articulates what you stand for, your greater purpose in life and reminds you of your higher calling as a leader! What are some ‘codes of conduct’ in the Military? (Soldiers Creed, NCO Creed, Oath of Office…)
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails What is the purpose of ‘guardrails’ on a highway/street? How does this apply to Ethical Leadership?
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails Rehearse your response The ongoing challenges of life mandates that we apply all our wisdom to daily situations lest we fall prey to our own folly.” Socrates
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails Rehearse your response Foster an accountability partner. Have a person who is strong and honest enough to tell you the truth What is the 17% vs. 83% rule? When confronted with an ethical temptation or moral trial, immediately tell someone you trust and seek their assessment, input, guidance, and support. WHY?
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails Rehearse your response Foster an accountability partner. Learn to be content in all situations Be aware of the trap of being “emotionally expansive” and learn to truly appreciate what you have instead of dwelling on what you don’t have.
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails Rehearse your response Foster an accountability partner. Learn to be content in all situations Consider long term consequences When making a decision about something you consider to be “gray,” “questionable,” or even “knowingly wrong” ask yourself, “What are the long-term consequences of this decision to my character, profession, career, and family when others find out? (because they will find out!)
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Ten Commandments of Conquering Ethical Temptations
Everyone in Leadership will face temptation Higher you rise, the greater your exposure Develop temptation ‘Map’ Create a personal ‘code of conduct’ Develop Guardrails Rehearse your response Foster an accountability partner. Learn to be content in all situations Consider long term consequences Stay humble STAY FOCUSED and HUMBLE by being a servant leader and regularly do some of the lowliest jobs in your operation to send the message to the people around you that your feet are firmly planted on the ground!
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“LIFE IS TOUGH, BUT IT’S TOUGHER IF YOU’RE STUPID!” …..John Wayne
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