1. THE BATHSHEBA SYNDROME: Conquering The Ethical Temptations of Success!
2 Samuel 11

2. 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

4. 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

5. LikablePeople
Great Success
Ethical Failure
Cover-up
(-) Aftermath

6. 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?

7. 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

8. Do Not Let Your Success Overrun Your Character!
WARNING!
Do Not Let Your Success Overrun Your Character!

9. A QUICK REVIEW:
A Case Study in a Profound Failure of Leadership: King David and Bathsheba

10. 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.

11. 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!

12. 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.

13. 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.”

14. 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!

15. Success Can Change Our:
EGO
ACCESS
CONTROL
RESOURCES
EXPANSIVENESS
ACCOUNTABILITY

16. 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!

17. KEY LESSONS FOR CONQUERING THE ETHICAL TEMPTATIONS OF SUCCESS

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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?

21. 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’?

22. 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

23. 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…)

24. 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?

25. 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

26. 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?

27. 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.

28. 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!)

29. 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!

30. “LIFE IS TOUGH, BUT IT’S TOUGHER IF YOU’RE STUPID!” …..John Wayne