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Archive: Ethics
The Courage to Disappoint
Hang tough Barack. Stay focused on your purpose and do not squander your political capital on a side trip that will feed only the most banal instincts of some of your more rabid constituents.
By Marty Linsky | July 16, 2009; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (0)
A Different Playbook
Without special discretion, investigations of national security issues can turn into public spectacles, placing our military and intelligence officials at risk and harming our image overseas.
By Robert Goodwin | July 14, 2009; 04:48 PM ET | Comments (12)
Just the Facts, Ma'am
Bringing bipartisan fact-finding and analysis to this difficult set of issues is just as much in the national interest as health care or climate change or economic recovery.
By Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr. | July 14, 2009; 03:41 PM ET | Comments (0)
We Can't Handle the Truth
For the most part the American public simply doesn't want to hear or believe anything that creates cognitive dissonance with our time-honored views of ourselves.
By Alan M. Webber | July 14, 2009; 03:35 PM ET | Comments (7)
Justifications for Looking Backwards
In this instance of the CIA misconduct, there's suspicion of a recurring pattern and allegations of illegality. Hence the justification for looking back on this matter rather than charging ahead.
By Ken Adelman | July 14, 2009; 03:31 PM ET | Comments (1)
Forgive More, Judge Less
The desire to 'punish' you predecessor can come back to haunt a leader. Who knows what decisions President Obama will have to make - that he may not want to discuss - to protect national security.
By Marshall Goldsmith | July 14, 2009; 07:44 AM ET | Comments (29)
Be Firm with Witch Hunters
The president should take a firm approach with his supporters on the left who cannot seem let go of the Bush administration. "Guys," he needs to tell them, "we have too many other important things to do."
By Paul R. Portney | July 14, 2009; 07:37 AM ET | Comments (28)
Fantasies of Revenge
The one certainty about using the criminal justice system to settle political and policy disputes is that it will not "clear the air."
By Slade Gorton | July 14, 2009; 07:34 AM ET | Comments (29)
Be Our Moral Compass
The president must take this opportunity to assure the people that nobody is above the law in this country - no individual, no agency, no one.
By Yash Gupta | July 14, 2009; 07:21 AM ET | Comments (12)
The Core of Our Beliefs
This is not a political question but a legal one that goes to the core of our belief in the rule of law and our greatness as a nation.
By Andy Stern | July 13, 2009; 04:11 PM ET | Comments (5)
A Cancer that Can't Be Ignored
Much as Obama might want to focus on the future and not the past--might not want the media spotlight and his administration's energy put on these issues--he may need to deal with this issue now or risk having the malignancy spread.
By Deborah Ancona | July 13, 2009; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (4)
Leadership Pop Quiz
What is the best predictor of bad judgement?
By Warren Bennis | July 13, 2009; 03:37 PM ET | Comments (0)
Doomed to Repeat It
If violations of laws and fundamental rules go unsanctioned, a strong message is sent that such behavior will be tolerated in the future, so the future will be like the past.
By Jeffrey Pfeffer | July 13, 2009; 02:09 PM ET | Comments (3)
"Moving On" Not an Option
"Moving on" without a clear repudiation of constitutional violations -- and perhaps appropriate punishment -- is simply not an option if the rule of law is to have any meaning.
By Mickey Edwards | July 13, 2009; 02:03 PM ET | Comments (1)
The Unbottled Genie
If there were illegalities or gross improprieties carried out by the CIA, with explicit White House approval, the current administration has no choice but to allow an investigation to go forward. Otherwise, the current administration becomes party to a cover-up.
By Howard Gardner | July 13, 2009; 01:20 PM ET | Comments (2)
Immorality, Magnified
The public is more willing to forgive political leaders' love affairs than their indiscretions on the job. They are like us - fallible human beings - but unlike us, we entrust them to look after the common good.
By Joanne B. Ciulla | July 1, 2009; 08:37 AM ET | Comments (1)
Forgetting Your Followers
It's so simple and yet so many leaders forget -- in the heat of passion, greed, or embarrassment -- to ask themselves what the people they serve would think?
By Patricia McGinnis | June 30, 2009; 03:14 PM ET | Comments (2)
Transgressions vs. Contributions
An examination of our most respected historical leaders reveals some extraordinary flaws, especially when it comes to marital fidelity. Regrettable as they were, such infidelities did not erase their contributions.
By George Reed | June 30, 2009; 03:00 PM ET | Comments (7)
Forgiveness Is Beside the Point
Forgiveness is beside the point here. Once a leader has done something to shatter the trust of the people he leads, he can't get it back.
By Yash Gupta | June 30, 2009; 11:22 AM ET | Comments (9)
Dereliction of Duty
With his dalliance in Argentina, Gov. Mark Sanford abandoned his office and the executive responsibilities inherent in it. Similar dereliction of duty by a military officer would constitute grounds for immediate "relief" of command.
By Gen. Monty Meigs (Ret.) | June 30, 2009; 11:17 AM ET | Comments (48)
Marital Vows, Constitutional Vows
We need more people who lead by example and practice what they preach, including in connection with their moral and ethical behavior.
By David Walker | June 30, 2009; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (3)
Even Americans Are Forgiving
The idea that sexual indiscretions invariably cause the downfall of leaders is empirically incorrect. What Americans punish more than infidelity is being lied to.
By Jeffrey Pfeffer | June 30, 2009; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Puzzle of Trust
Marital fidelity is a good predictor of overall character, albeit not the only predictor.
By Gail S. Williams | June 30, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Adulation of Thousands
Why do so many of those who fall seem to be the ones who put themselves, with our collusion, on such an unrealistic moralistic pedestal in the first place?
By Marty Linsky | June 30, 2009; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (4)
Not a Predictor of Leadership Skill
Marital fidelity, in and of itself, is not a predictor of how well one will exercise leadership.
By Kathy Kretman | June 30, 2009; 10:35 AM ET | Comments (4)
Sanford's Character Flaws
Sanford's "acting out" and the complicated steps he went through to conduct the affair suggest a major character flaw that imperils his ability to lead.
By Abraham Zaleznik | June 30, 2009; 10:31 AM ET | Comments (1)
Getting Away With It
If your wandering eye is well known, and you don't make a big deal about family values, then you can get away with escapades.
By Howard Gardner | June 29, 2009; 04:34 PM ET | Comments (1)
A Clinton Exception?
It's difficult, in the light of the Clinton presidency, to assert the proposition that Americans "disqualify from top leadership positions people who haven't lived by the highest moral standards."
By Slade Gorton | June 29, 2009; 02:21 PM ET | Comments (5)
Leaders We Can Live Without
Circumstances matter, and if a leader has an affair with a subordinate or shows other lapses of judgment, then we're better off without them.
By Deborah Kolb | June 29, 2009; 01:53 PM ET | Comments (1)
Adultery Is Private, Politics Are Not
The public dislikes infidelity in its leaders but is willing to ignore it if the leader is seen as truly working for the common good.
By Michael Maccoby | June 29, 2009; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (1)
Mostly About Sex
We know of lots of great leaders from earlier periods who were tireless philanderers, not just in politics but in all walks of life. Would we have been better off if these leaders had been driven from their leadership positions? I don't think so.
By Steven Pearlstein | June 29, 2009; 01:32 PM ET | Comments (7)
