'Transformation' needed in ethics
By: Bob Deahle
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Seventy-five leaders from Milwaukee's business, nonprofit, government
and education communities gathered Oct. 27 at Marquette University to
explore how to generate a deeper commitment to ethical leadership
throughout our community. The summit was hosted by Marquette
University's College of Professional Studies.
The event
included presentations by Richard Teerlink, retired CEO of
Harley-Davidson Inc. and author of "More Than a Motorcycle: My
Leadership Journey at Harley-Davidson," and Peter Block, author of "The
Answer to How is Yes: Acting on What Matters," "Flawless Consulting: A
Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used" and "Stewardship: Choosing Service
Over Self-Interest."
Participants then broke into groups of five and through a series of
round-table, café style conversations, discussed a series of questions
that focused on building a commitment to ethical behavior. Finally,
individuals then switched tables so that by the end of the day, almost
every person who attended the summit had an opportunity speak with
everyone else who was there.
Block
called this process of shared conversation an essential element that can
lead to transformation. Block challenged the leaders who participated in
the summit to have the courage to "name the debate," to use the power we
have to "convene this important conversation," and to "bring groups
together that never came together before."
"We build
the future through invitation," Block said, claiming that community
building and individual transformation is done by choice, not by
mandate.
Teerlink
reminded participants that generating a commitment to ethical leadership
throughout our communities and our organizations depends on how our
individual behavior is tied to the common good. He noted that, when we
talk about ethics and leadership, we need to remember that "leadership
is a process in which people work together because they want to, not
because they have to." We should ask ourselves: "How should we behave?
What is important? Who do we serve? And, how do we measure success?"
Leadership commitment
While many
agreed that there has been a crisis, indeed a vacuum of strong ethical
leadership evidenced by all the scandals in recent years, the
conversation focused rather on how we can build a new commitment to
ethical leadership. How do we go about doing that and what resources do
we need to accomplish that? Some of the suggestions that emerged from
the conversations include taking the time to reflect on and discuss
ethical challenges, developing support groups to discuss ethical issues,
providing mentors to listen and provide feedback, providing training and
education on ethical matters that are impacting our institutions and
communities, and bringing people together from diverse backgrounds in
conversations about the kind of future we want to build together.
Block noted
that there is a "heart-bypass phenomenon in our culture." We often leave
out the heart from the conversation and only talk with our heads.
Perhaps it is time to convene new conversations that bring our
communities together to speak from the heart as to what kind of future
we really aspire to build and create. In this way, according to Block,
conversation becomes the change we deeply want. And conversation,
predicated on the ability to say no, to dissent, to disagree, can open
up new possibilities and lead to individual change and real community
transformation.
This
leadership summit was an important conversation, one that needs to
happen more often if we are going to reach toward something as lofty but
as essential as the transformation of our community. Marquette can,
indeed, convene the conversation. Now, let's work together to help
transform the communities we live in.
Bob
Deahl is the dean of the Marquette University College of Professional
Studies.
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