How to use common communications tools and accepted practices to guide each manager and employee towards accountability, trust and excellence.

1. Virtuous Business Practice
Making Integrity Count in the Workplace
What is the return when investment is made in developing a character-driven
workforce?

2. 2
Creating a virtues-based work
environment encourages integrity
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Integrity flourishes in a learning
environment
It was the start of a new season of the public affairs
program I had produced and hosted for about 10
years. Even with so much experience, I walked
into the studio with a sense of the unknown. This
would, after all, be the day that we would meet
the new interns.
“Isn’t it interesting,” I remarked to my co-host, “that
we keep getting older and yet the interns are
eternally 20-something.”
As I smiled at the group of millennials, I
remembered many of the stereotypes that were
circulating about them. They prefer Facebook to
face-to-face communications. They buck
authority so you have to make them feel like they
are running the organization. They have been
spoon-fed by their parents who are likely to show
2
up at their jobs.
Brushing these thoughts aside, as I would any other
prejudice, I said, “Welcome! You are about to
embark on a fast-paced television production
experience for which you come well equipped
with self-determination and assertiveness and
integrity. Now who can tell me the three most
important words you will ever use here or in any
other workplace?”
The blank stares did not last long. These were
young media professionals, and wilting wallflowers
they were not.
“Dedicated. Determined. Dependable,” came the
first response followed by “Who? What? Why?”
Then there was a rare period of silent reflection
after I added my thoughts to the barrage of
answers: “The three most important words are ‘I
messed up.’”
As I grow older, I pay less
attention to what men say. I
just watch what they do.
Andrew Carnegie
Steel Magnate/Philanthropist
by Nwandi N. Lawson

3. 3
1
Virtues are more durable than
values
In order to create a culture in which employees
feel safe stating what is true, leaders must
demonstrate that they value learning over the
fruitless search for perfection. By sharing
information and creating spaces for employees at
all levels to contribute to decision-making
processes and to reflect on outcomes, a dynamic
experience laboratory is created. As an
organization becomes more comfortable with this
process, the perceived need to cover up mistakes,
criticize co-workers, and pass blame are
minimized.
Although values are the shared ideals of a group
of people in a specific place during a certain time
period, virtues are principles that have endured
and been accepted by diverse groups throughout
the ages. Consider that North American
companies may place high value on individual
endeavor while their Asian counterparts may
honor the contribution of a team. Yet both
cultures honor the virtues of diligence and respect.
Strategic Vision
Few companies today present mission statements
that do not include virtues like accountability, trust,
or excellence. Yet without common
communication tools and accepted practices to
guide each manager and employee towards
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these ideals, it can be challenging to ensure that
they are actually a feature of the workplace.
When customers and employees enter a virtues-based
workplace they receive tangible feedback
about their innate nobility in the form of artwork,
office arrangement, and peer and management
interactions. Their communication is centered on
bringing out the best in themselves and others.
Instead of simply saying, “Thank you,” a virtues-based
manager might offer “I really appreciate
the creativity and courtesy you used to settle that
disputed claim.” Employee evaluations include
commendation for the use of prominent virtues
and coaching about the expanded use of
additional character strengths.
Organizations that ignore opportunities to
strengthen individual and collective integrity suffer
low internal and external trust, inflation of individual
contributions and corporate returns, and high
employee turnover. In the most serious instances,
breaches of integrity lead to government sanction,
civil suits, or criminal charges. Perhaps that is
enough reason to encourage investment in
professional development that strengthens
character.
Integrity is the essence of good character. It is the
sum total of the actions we take whether or not
anyone is watching. It is the ability to look a
colleague or boss in the eye and say, “I messed
up” with trust that mutual support will provide the
path towards a solution.
In looking for people to hire,
look for three qualities:
integrity, intelligence, and
energy. And if they don’t have
the first one, the other two will
kill you.
Warren Buffet
CEO Berkshire Hathaway

4. Frontier Ventures Unlimited
www.frontierventuresunlimted.com
678-557-2020
©2014, Frontier Ventures Unlimited
Nwandi Lawson is a managing
partner with Frontier Ventures
Unlimited. She is also an
experienced journalist,
entrepreneur, and
organizational culture
consultant. Nwandi received
an MBA from Emory University’s
Goizueta Business School. She
also earned an
undergraduate degree with
honors in journalism from
Howard University.