In business, we become what we think: vicious or virtuous
Why it’s time to stop seeing business as a cut-throat game where dog eat dog is the norm
Why do seemingly reasonable and intelligent people continue to operate in non-virtuous and vicious ways that reflect low moral standards? One reason is the way we as citizens, leaders and followers think and talk about the nature of individuals and organisations. How we talk about the world and our context in it has everything to do with the way the world is ultimately understood. If we keep seeing business as a cut-throat, zero-sum game where dog eat dog is the norm, self-interest is the only focus and short-term benefits are the name of the game, then we will always have a world where people act in this way. Our collective memory and context are filled with stories of business, political and societal leaders who conducted themselves in ethically questionable ways through deceptive decisions and practices. The images of leaders who misuse power and who employ corrupt practices feature often in our daily news coverage. We clearly live in a time of moral deficit if we go by the track...
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