Surrett The Waiter Rule
The Waiter Rule: What Makes for a Good CEO?
Tameka Surrett
MBA 5310 Business Ethics
Dr. Gerber
February 21, 2015
The Waiter Rule: What Makes for a Good CEO? Webster’s dictionary defines character as “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” (Webster, 2015) Wikipedia says it is “the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person.” (Wikipedia, 2015) And the google dictionary says, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.” (The Free Dictionary, 2015) Character is an essential ingredient in ethical leadership; because one’s character defines who they are as a person. Abraham Lincoln said, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.” (Life Quotes, 2015) Our character is much more than just what we try to display for others to see, it is who we are even when no one is watching. Leaders with character always err on the side of fairness, especially when other people are unfair. As a matter of fact, the true mark of leadership is how fair you can be when other people are treating you unfairly. “The Waiter Rule” seems to be the ‘golden rule’ in cooperate society when choosing a CEO; and I agree it can provide useful insights into rather a person has ethical or unethical tendencies. However, in a way, leadership can be “situational.” What is necessary for success in a leadership position is determined by many factors, including the people to be led; the objectives to be accomplished; the competition for resources; the social, cultural, political, and economic environment; and the situation that the leader finds at the moment. Corporate boards should absolutely consider character when hiring someone for the top position in their company. The CEO is the icon that represents the highest level of the chain of command; the CEO is the model of all company standards and should embellish the highest
Tameka Surrett
MBA 5310 Business Ethics
Dr. Gerber
February 21, 2015
The Waiter Rule: What Makes for a Good CEO? Webster’s dictionary defines character as “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” (Webster, 2015) Wikipedia says it is “the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person.” (Wikipedia, 2015) And the google dictionary says, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.” (The Free Dictionary, 2015) Character is an essential ingredient in ethical leadership; because one’s character defines who they are as a person. Abraham Lincoln said, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.” (Life Quotes, 2015) Our character is much more than just what we try to display for others to see, it is who we are even when no one is watching. Leaders with character always err on the side of fairness, especially when other people are unfair. As a matter of fact, the true mark of leadership is how fair you can be when other people are treating you unfairly. “The Waiter Rule” seems to be the ‘golden rule’ in cooperate society when choosing a CEO; and I agree it can provide useful insights into rather a person has ethical or unethical tendencies. However, in a way, leadership can be “situational.” What is necessary for success in a leadership position is determined by many factors, including the people to be led; the objectives to be accomplished; the competition for resources; the social, cultural, political, and economic environment; and the situation that the leader finds at the moment. Corporate boards should absolutely consider character when hiring someone for the top position in their company. The CEO is the icon that represents the highest level of the chain of command; the CEO is the model of all company standards and should embellish the highest
Bibliography: (2015, February 20). Retrieved from The Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/character (2015, February 20). Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com Carroll, A., & Duchholtz, A. (2012). Ethics MBA 5310. Masson: CENGAGE Learning . Life Quotes. (2015, February 20). Retrieved from Brainy Quote: http://www.brainyquote.com Webster. (2015, February 11). Retrieved from Webter 's Online Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character Wikipedia. (2015, February 19). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_character