Honor and Respect

The Ways of Integrity, Bravery, and Honor are not limited to executives. They are equally incumbent on all classes of employees, customers, and the competition. But sometimes these classes may do things that are impolite or disrespectful. They may even show lack of respect by using the company name in an unflattering way and by causing wrong views to be expressed. For an executive, however, it is different. No matter how truthful and honorable he may say he is, if he is lacking in the correct manners and etiquette with which respect is shown, he cannot be regarded as living in proper conformity with it. Any negligence of this kind is no conduct for anyone who desires to be an executive. Even when out of sight, there must be no relaxation in Integrity, Bravery, and Honor.

With the CEO and senior management, an executive must at all times maintain a respectful attitude, just as these executives maintain respect for their subordinates. Anger or unkind words should not be said, and should contrary opinions need to be voiced, they should be said firmly and with conviction. Any agreement or disagreement should be honored and not used as evidence to express disrespect about the company or its management. It is better for an executive to leave and be of service elsewhere than to damage the house whose name is on his card.

When dealing with employees, respect is essential for professional and honorable action. An executive must respect employee opinions, feedback, and argument even if they do not agree with his own views. Employees are the front - line, and their empowerment and performance is directly related to the respect they feel. Good leaders already know this. Poor leaders try to preserve their power and status so that they may achieve their greatness at the expense of the employee. To the poor leader, power over the employee is more important than making them powerful. This is the utmost in disrespect. This type of executive must be removed for violating the Code and to prevent further damage to the commitment of the employees.

This attitude must also extend to the treatment of customers, the competition, and the Earth. It is a show of stupid lack of consideration when one speaks ill of any of these. Customers are the source of being for the corporation and should be respected, as the Earth should be respected as the source of life. The competition should be respected in that disparagement and ill comments only make the executive look cowardly and incompetent. Winning customers from the competition should be done on the corporation’s own merits. Though the competition may fight as unskilled warriors and may not even honor the Code, there is no excuse for an executive to compromise his values.

DAILY LIFE: Applying the Code in Your Daily Life
FAMILY: Working Better with Family Members
LEADERSHIP: Avoid Abusing Power and Authority

ACCOUNTABILITY: Maintaining Integrity Around Results

Excerpt from the Best-Selling book The Code of the Executive by Don Schmincke