A Tale of Two Cities

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A (true) Tale of Two Cities

WASHINGTON, DC—Under mounting pressure from scandal-weary constituents, members of Congress in January 2007 introduced an ethics overhaul bill which, ultimately, took 9 months and 102 amendments before becoming law.

Seventeen lawmakers ferried this “landmark” legislation toward passage; 22 voted against it; and another 8 abstained. From an initial summary of 7,400 words, the bill grew to over 100 pages and 21,000 words in its final version.

In November –just two months after enactment – came word that some members of Congress had found loopholes in the bill, and were already skirting the intent of the measure … to their personal benefit.

If it all leaves you speechless, you’re not alone. On the other hand, there is something to be said for what happened in...

LANSING, MI—With no pressure from anyone, Celink in early September 2007 formalized a Code of Ethics that has defined the company’s values-in-practice since opening for business in 1969.

The following Monday, CEO John LaRose printed out some copies of the Code, met with employees, and asked them for their reactions.

Then he invited them to sign a poster-sized version of the Code in the cafeteria. Workers were eager to add their signatures to the Celink Code, and by the end of the lunch hour, the poster was already filled with their names.

The Celink Code of Ethics – including the title – runs only 117 words, total. But when ethics are already a matter of principle AND practice, there’s nothing else left to say.

Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.

- Booker T. Washington

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