Page 13 - Phissons Ethics Dilemma

Blackthorn

summarised his

philosophy that

‘a business without

values is a business

at risk.’

Moreover he saw

company values as

having a pragmatic

place in the business

world precisely

because of society’s

fudge like fluidity.

For Blackthorn leadership was not simply power over others. True leadership in his

view, was an emotional relationship based on trust, the product of which was to create

power in those he lead.

Few organizations have the luxury of time to figure out what the right response should

be to an ethical crisis, particularly if the crisis is public rather than private. When a crisis

occurs in the public eye, the aggressive competitiveness of a multiplicity of 24-hour

media outlets makes it imperative that the manager’s first response be the right one.

Furthermore, whistleblowing is inevitable – secrets will out.