This medieval chant I like. Given the work in the Integrity Initiative, I have three options to apply it to today’s environment:
- Integrity is dead! Long live Integrity!
- Corruption is dead! Long live Corruption!
- Corruption is dead! Long live Anticorruption!
Let’s assume that it makes sense to focus on 1 and 3.
It should be our modern-day mantra, allowing for every fad, survey, or new statistic to loudly proclaim that Integrity and Anticorruption, as we know, are “dead” and that something new should immediately follow it.
A friend of mine is fond of saying, “It ain’t what you know that gets you in trouble; it’s what you know that ain’t so.” This applies well to the concept of Integrity and Anticorruption as we know it. It’s not going anywhere, because real Integrity, as it is to be exhibited, is timeless. It’s not broken or inadequate, it simply needs a more specific focus and real attention to application and—in the end—implementation. We just don’t do it that well. Let’s unpack this a bit, fleshing out the realities of Integrity and Anticorruption as we know it compared with Integrity and Anticorruption as it should be.
What I am driving at is that Anticorruption has to be more than lip service. As we clearly outline again and again that signing the Integrity Pledge is only the first step in a long adjustment process—from tone from the top, to a common code of conduct, from control measures throughout the organization to compliance programs and compliance training, from “validation” processes to certification.
In the new anticorruption environment, trust is a big deal. Trust has to be there until there is evidence of breach of trust. The new “King” wants a shift to focus on results over process. Management has to lead by example; remember, leading by example is not a choice—it has to be demonstrated daily. I liked the editorial in the BusinessMirror the other day: Make every day an anticorruption day!
The new King (Anticorruption) expects much more involvement of management in anticorruption implementation. That involvement must lead to the appointment of compliance officers. The first big challenge coming up is for all organizations in the country to live with and comply with the data-privacy regulation. Why am I highlighting this? Breach of data privacy is a criminal offence! human resource managers will have be under stress, and lawyers will have a new source of income.
Is your company using employee data ethically? Do we understand our company’s privacy comfort zone? Do we get guidance from our information governance committee? Do we share guidance with our team and encourage best practices? Do we invite feedback?
In the end of the day: the new King wants everybody to have Integrity; I hope you remember the slogan of the Integrity Initiative: “Integrity starts with I”. We have to be honest, consistent and do what we say we will do!
I forgot to comment on No. 2. Corruption is dead! Long live Corruption! Unfortunately, people involved in the many forms of corruption are continuously finding create new ways to benefit from this formula: Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability.
Anticorruption and having integrity is tough—wear a helmet!
Image credits: Nuvolanevicata | Dreamstime.com