Tag Archives: character
Custer, Gettysburg, and the Seven Enabling Virtues
On July 3, I always reflect on Custer’s grand heroism when his country needed it most, and how strange it is that he is best remembered for his worst blunder, when his greatest achievement was so much more important. I also think about how his life is a cautionary tale, reminding us of how easily our strengths can become our weaknesses, if we fail to understand how best to use them, or recognize when they are leading us astray. Continue reading
Filed under History, War and the Military
Ethics Heroes: Newt Gingrich’s (Ex-) Campaign Staff
Gingrich’s staff, who apparently still admire Newt’s intellect and believe that he has the ability to be a good President, came to the realization that whatever his assets, he did not possess essential character traits that are essential to both achieving the presidency and filling it. They could have continued to follow Newt anyway, as so many other disillusioned followers of flawed leaders have to the detriment of humanity. Instead, they did the right thing: they left him, and in so doing, both signaled that those closest to him find him wanting as a leader, and also probably dealt a fatal blow to his already scant prospects. Continue reading
Ethics Malpractice from “Dear Margo”: The Tale of Witchy, Tubby and Sue
A shallow questioner who dumped her boyfriend wants to unravel his new relationship now that he’s gone from fat to fit. And an advice columnist is happy to help out…. Continue reading
From Hero to Idol: Congratulations, Scotty McCreery!
Congratulations, Scotty. In March we knew you were good; we didn’t know you were this good. Continue reading
Newt Gingrich: Ethics Victim…Ethics Miscreant…Walking, Talking Ethics Lesson
I’m glad Newt Gingrich is in the presidential race, however foolishly and futilely. He is perhaps the perfect illustration of how a potential political leader’s private personal conduct is not only relevant to assessing his fitness to lead, but predictive of it. Continue reading
Quote of the Day: Theodore Roosevelt
On this date in 1910, former President Theodore Roosevelt made his famous “Man in the Arena” speech, one of the most inspiring calls to courage and personal character ever spoken. Continue reading
Filed under Government & Politics, History, Leadership, Professions, Quotes, U.S. Society
Uncaring, Unremorseful, and Rich…But Not Unethical
Columnist Carolyn Hax, who gives wise and witty relationship advice, has a sure instinct for ethics though the word doesn’t often appear in her column. It did today, though…and it didn’t belong there. Continue reading
Manny Post Script: The Signature of a Jerk
Ramirez quit without telling his team, his coaches or his manager, without a statement to the Tampa Bay fans, and without saying the one thing that any decent human being in his situation has an absolute obligation to say. Continue reading
Filed under Etiquette and manners, Sports, Workplace
Manny Ramirez’s Perfect Exit
Manny Ramirez was an impressively talented baseball player with discipline of an untrained Irish Setter, and the selfishness of a six-year-old. Throughout his career, he was a textbook example of the management fallacy known as the star principle, in which an extremely talented individual is allowed to break the rules and defy an organization’s culture in direct proportion to his perceived value. Now, caught for a second time using banned drugs, he quit rather than face the music. Perfect. Continue reading
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Professions, Sports, U.S. Society
