Warning! Steep Slope — Stay Back!

There is an old legend about the hiring of stagecoach drivers to traverse the dangerous canyons of the Rocky Mountains. The trails were narrow and bordered by steep treacherous slopes. Three finalists were presented to be hired. The manager asked the first: “How good are you at driving a stagecoach close to the cliff?” — The answer was — “I can drive within 6 feet of the end of the cliff without a problem.” Impressive, the manager mused. The second driver was asked the same question as to which he replied —“I am so good, I have learned to drive within 3 feet of the edge without ever having an issue.” The manager told him — “you must be very talented!” 

 The third applicant was asked the same question — “How good are you at driving a stagecoach close to the cliff?” He slowly took off his battered cowboy hat, rubbed his forehead and said — “I am not sure sir; all my life I have done my best to stay as far from the edge of the cliff as possible.” He was hired without hesitation.

My youngest son, Stevey, and I took a motorcycle trip up Pacific Coast Highway a few weeks ago. The scenery was beautiful. Winding roads traversed the coast and mountains with breathtaking views. Toward the second day, my confidence on my new Ducati got the better of me, and I found myself going faster and faster around the curves by the end of the cliffs. Then we stopped at the rest area (in the picture above) and I saw the sign. It instantly reminded me of the stagecoach story. We slowed down.

Over the last 28 years, I’ve seen many great leaders lose their jobs and reputations due to unethical practices. It is devastating. I don’t believe any of them began their careers with failure in mind, or even imagined that this could happen to them. But, as their confidence grew, they found themselves driving closer to the edge of the cliff until one day a small mistake took them over the edge. 

In How Will You Measure Your Life?, Harvard Professor Clayton M. Christensen states: “It's easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time.” So profound! The only real way to make sure you never break the law or lose your job is to avoid even the smallest of “ethical adjustments.”

I recently saw an Aldo Leopold quote that says — “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one is watching — even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”  If your boss, mother or bishop would not approve — it is most likely unethical. If you need to ask yourself if it is unethical, it is most likely unethical. And lastly, even if it is legal it does not make it ethical or right. 

So this is a warning blog to all young leaders. The time will come when you will be tested. It has happened to me multiple times in many ways. We receive pressure to make our goals, please our boss, make a foreign government leader happy or simply do our job quicker. But, like a famous street in Hawaii (Easy Street), it will only lead to a Dead End.

In summary:

1.  Avoid the type of confidence that breeds arrogance, then mistakes

2. Remember that it is easier to be ethical 100% of the time than 98% of the time

3.  There is a huge difference between illegal and unethical. But both should be avoided. 

And as all motorcycle riders say to each other — “Ride safe!”