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Amongst the myriad of imposing challenges currently weighing upon American society and abroad, the most pressing leadership issue of today is the need for a genuine practice of integrity instilled in corporate and organizational cultures. This essay will discuss how the lack of honesty and transparency in business and other sectors of life have reaped disastrous results for those who fail to practice them. The discussion begins with a quote from The McKinsey Quarterly about the quandary corporate leaders face when attempting to balance the need for a company's long-term health and reputation against short-term profits and personal gratification or gain.

In an interview with Daniel Yankelovich, The McKinsey Quarterly staff writers Mendoca and Miller (2007) commented, "As more and more executives come to recognize that a company's reputation is an important strategic asset, many are understandably confused as they ponder the numerous social and political issues that now stand alongside simple profit as a measure of long-term corporate health." (p. 1). Unfortunately, leaders in some of the largest and most well-known organizations have not been able to withstand the temptation to place profits or personal gain ahead of long-term corporate health and reputation. In fact, recent events in the (a) corporate, (c) financial, and (d) political sectors of the United States serve as prime examples of how the lack of honesty and transparency has led to termination and loss for all stakeholders including the individual, the organization, its employees and the community at large. Included in such examples are:

1. The accounting debacle that brought down such large corporations as (a) Enron (aided by Arthur Anderson), (b) Adelphia, (c) Tyco, and (d) WorldCom each of which was forced to reorganize or close for filing false financial reports in order to maximize the value of their respective stocks. (Wygal, 2004, p. 1).

2. The collapse of once mighty investment banks like Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Washington Mutual as well as America's largest mortgage company, Countrywide Mortgage, due to the ill-conceived subprime mortgage lending scheme. This crisis has led to the disintegration of the United States' housing market and subsequently to a steep decline in the global financial markets. (Duncan, 2008, p. 1).

3. The exploits of Illinois governor Rob Blagojevich who has allegedly attempted to sell the Senate seat of President-elect Barak Obama to the highest bidder and has now been impeached by the Illinois state legislature. (Bone, J., 2008, p. 1).

In all the above cases top level executives either hid the truth or used positions of authority for ill-gotten gain. Their unethical actions resulted in a short-term thrill ride with an ultimate end that left stakeholders and shareholders worse off than when they started. In contrast, in a Business Week article published in April of 2002, Wee points out that sticking to a high ethical standard allowed corporate giant Johnson & Johnson to weather short-term public relation nightmares tied to its tainted Tylenol product and continue doing business for the long-term. (p. 2). All these examples illustrate that the most pressing need for today's leader is to learn how to set aside the intense pressure for short-term gains and instant gratification in order to instill high ethical standards that will ensure sustained growth and long-term corporate health and profitability. This is so because potential clients remain loyal to companies they trust.

Trust is a major key for sustained growth. If customers trust a company to consistently offer superior products and services on the up and up and at an affordable price, they will repeatedly frequent that establishment. On the other hand, if an operation seems seedy and underhanded, regular and potential customers alike will flee and take their business elsewhere.

Eric Coggins has a BA in Political Science and an MBA in Global Management. He has lived and worked abroad and has had interaction with members of many different ethnic backgrounds including African-American, Latin American, Japanese, Korean, Cambodian, Australian and European. He has written a motivational ebook called The Best You: Foundational Principles for an Effective Life http://bestyouebook.thebestyou.org/ and a matching website http://www.thebestyou.org/ His mission is to promote the best possible life for all everywhere in the world and has a desire to raise awareness and funds to help endangered youth in Long Beach, California as well as HIV/AIDS victims in Cambodia.

References

Bone, James. (2008). Blagojevich scandal: Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr face new revelations. TimesOnline.
Duncan, G. (2008). Lehman Brothers collapse sends shockwave round world. TimesOnline. Mendoca, L. and Miller, M. (2007). Exploring business's social contract: An interview with Daniel Yankelovich: A founding father of public-opinion research explains why shareholder value isn't enough. The McKinsey Quarterly.
Wee, H. (2002). Corporate Ethics: Right Makes Might - Avoiding scandal isn't the only reason to observe a stringent code of conduct. Doing the right thing also generates more tangible dividends. Business Week Online.
Wygal, D. (2004). Corporate greed vs. IMA's ethics code: recent corporate financial scandals--Enron, WorldCom,... Strategic Finance. Retrieved December 26, 2008 from allbusiness.com.

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Thundering Rails Electric Train Set $234.46 This Thundering Rails Electric Train Set features over 175 pieces and a F7 diesel with working light. This train set features easy assembly and snap in bridge and pier set.Made by Walthers LifelikeModel: 433-9102Materials: Plastic and metalDimensions: 74 inches long x 38 inches wideAssembly requiredRecommended for ages 14 years and olderNo batteries requiredFeatures over 175 piecesTrain is a powered F7 diesel with working light, painted in the classic Santa Fe red and silver chromeIncludes six colorful freight carsUp and over bridge pier set, three trackside shanty kits and a working crossing gateFeatures four automobiles and three pickup trucks, 110 railroad, street and road signs and twelve utility polesUL listed power packInstruction manual included

Power Blaster Electric Train Set $176.79 This Power Blaster Electric Train Set features exclusive Power-loc track system with molded roadbed for fast and easy set up. This oval train set snaps together in minutes and comes with a ten piece snap-in bridge and pier set.Made by Walthers LifelikeModel: 433-2143Materials: Plastic and metalDimensions: 35 inches long x 19 inches wide x 14 inches deepAssembly requiredRecommended for ages 14 years and olderNo batteries requiredFeatures 47 inch long x 38 inch wide oval trackLife-like's exclusive Power-loc track system with molded roadbed for fast and easy set upClicks together in minutes for superior running anywhereIncludes ten piece snap-in bridge and pier set for elevated excitementUtility poles with transformers, call boxes and street lamps along with railroad, street and road signsUL power pack includedInstruction manual included

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Rail Master HO Scale Electric Train Set $160.68 This Lifelike HO Scale 'Rail Master' Train Set features over 100 pieces including utility poles, railroad and street signs. This toy train set features a four unit Santa Fe Diesel Locomotive with working headlight.Brand: Rail MasterHO Scale Electric Train SetOval trackIncludes Santa Fe Diesel Locomotive with working headlightOver 100 pieces including utility poles, railroad and street signsPower-loc terminal rerailer power track for easy alignmentNo batteries requiredRecommended for ages 8 years and olderDimensions: 47 inches high x 38 inches wideModel: 433-8608

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New Bright Holiday Express Animated Electric Train Set $436.55 Brand: New BrightHoliday Express Animated Electric Train SetSound and lighted animation add enchantment to Holiday settings as a decorative ornament or an elegant electric train setFeatures a multi-function controller with sound and volume control, 120V transformer and a track power clip Includes: 16 pieces of track, 4-piece G-Gauge train set, engine with Santa, tender with Christmas tree, Candy Dancer Car and Santa's Toy Shop CarRecommended for ages 10 years and olderDimensions: 9 inches high x 20 inches wide x 30 inches longModel: 384

Lifelike 152401 HO Scale Diesel Electric Train Set Power Blaster $112.17 6Unit HO Scale Diesel Electric Train Set; 47 x38 track oval features LifeLike s exclusive PowerLoc track system with molded roadbed for fast N easy set up even beginners can assemble in minutes Clicks together keeps tracks connected for superior running anywhere even on carpet. Eliminates rail joiners and produces perfect electrical contact guaranteed. 10 piece snapin bridge pier set for elevated excitement. Utility poles with transformers call boxes and street lamps realistic railroad street road signs. Illustrated instructions included. 1 year warranty against defects. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

Lifelike 152402 HO scale Diesel Electric Train Set Rail Blaster $121.85 6unit HO scale Diesel Electric Train Set includes LoNose GP382 Locomotive with working headlight. Giant 56 x 38 track oval features LifeLike s exclusive PowerLoc track system with molded roadbed for fast N easy set up even beginners can assemble in minutes Clicks together keeps track connected for superior running anywhere even on carpet. Eliminates rail joiners and produces perfect electrical contact guaranteed. Operating gravel dump station unload the gondola car with the push of a lever Railroad street and highway signs plus utility poles. Snap together passenger freight station building kit American style cars and trucks. Illustrated instructions included. 1 year warranty against defects. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Train Set $565.9 This Bachmann G Scale White Christmas Train Set electric train set includes power pack and speed control. This ready to run train set comes with steam locomotive with operating headlight and much more.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 90076Materials: Plastic and metalG Scale ready to run electric train set includes 4-6-0 steam locomotive with operating headlight, smoke and speed synchronized soundIncludes tender with wood load, combine car with operating door and lighted interior and coach car with lighted interiorOval track is 98 inches long x 51 inches wideFeatures power pack and speed controllerOne 1.9 volt battery required (not included)Recommended for ages 8 and older

Rail Blaster Electic Train Set $189.26 This Rail Blaster Electric Train Set clicks together keeping track connected for superior running anywhere. This train set features an operating gravel dump station and comes with street and highway signs.Made by Walthers LifelikeModel: 433-8623Materials: Plastic and metalDimensions: 37 inches long x 21 inches wide x 14 inches deepAssembly requiredRecommended for ages 14 years and olderNo batteries requiredIncludes Lo-nose GP38-2 Locomotive with working headlightTrack makes 56 inch long x 38 inch wide ovalFeatures Life-like's exclusive Power-loc track system with molded roadbed for fast and easy set upClicks together keeping track connected for superior running anywhereOperating gravel dump station, unload the gondola car with the push of a leverRailroad, street and highway signs includedSnap together passenger and freight station building kit with American style cars and trucksUL power pack includedInstruction manual included

Tyco Electronics Tyco (E963860) Touchscreen Monitor $26.21 Tyco Electronics Tyco (E963860) Touchscreen Monitor

Bachmann N Scale Frontiersman Train Set $215.38 This Bachmann N Scale Frontiersman Train Set includes many old-time toy train cars. This electric train set comes with easy to assemble nickel silver E-z track.Made by Bachmann TrainsModel: 24006Materials: Plastic and metalIncludes American 4-4-0 steam locomotive and tender, old-time water tank car, old-time box car, old-time gondola car, old-time flat car and old-time bobber cabooseOval track is 34 inches wide x 24 inches long of nickel silver E-z trackAlso comes with power pack and speed controllerRecommended for ages 8 and older