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- A successful CEO sells and gives away thousands of copies of his book about basic rules of management. Later it's discovered nearly all the pithy quips are copied almost verbatim from other sources. What becomes of the plagiarizer? His company docks him $1 million from a compensation package upwards of $4 million. But he's still the CEO...the board has "full confidence" in his "extraordinary vision."
- A Congressman enters drug rehab for the second time in five months...only after crashing his car near the Capitol in an incident he says he can't even recall. But he's still a Congressman...and his father is "proud of him" for admitting (again) he has a problem.
- The top Air Force lawyer, a general charged with overseeing military justice, is allowed to retire with the loss of only two pay grades after being charged with a decade or more of unprofessional conduct and sexual harrasment of others. Despite the grade reduction, his retirement compensation will still exceed the vast majority of those who retire after 20 years or more of honorable service.
A century ago, the CEO and Congressman would have been out on their ears, likely hearing "you'll never work in this business again." The general would have been "drummed out." Each said they "accept responsibility for their actions." But this is meaningless without consequences: discipline and social rejection. The fact they feel they can show their face at all in public speaks volumes. A society preoccupied with self-esteem places decreasing value on the utility of shame. To our credit, we're a forgiving society and some people do mend their ways. But it's far more common for con artists to manipulate our generous spirit to avoid paying the piper.
A few years ago the U.S. was scandalized when Singapore sentenced an American teenager to lashing with a cane after he vandalized a number of cars with spray paint. That country makes clear what behavior is unacceptable...and as a result, they see much less of it than we do here. In the wake of Enron and other messes on Wall Street, Capitol Hill and Main Street, we might consider breaking out a few canes on this side of the Pacific, too. Or at least mustering the courage to tell those who abuse their authority "you're out of this business for good."
"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Proverbs 13:24
2 comments:
An enlisted man would have been thrown out on his ear.... You hear the word "responsible" from so many and yet witness the action so rarely. Actions DO speak louder than words.
Very true, and all the more reason the service's decision is reprehensible.
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