The debate seems at times to go around in circles akin to the chicken or the egg, which comes first ethics or profit? Furthermore, who can even benchmark an ethical standard if there is no absolute moral authority? These are some very challenging questions that are at the very root of business and life.

Many industries subscribe to a code of ethics, but isn’t it really an individual decision on a daily basis to live that code? How easily can the most ethically based foundation be rattled by the opportunity for windfall profits and is the consumer just as responsible for turning a blind eye and playing the game too?

Maybe we should visit Bernie Madoff in jail and ask him why so many ethical people compromised those standards. The conclusion is simply that ethics must constantly be worked on, but might be generally impossible to draw out in individuals obsessed with individualism…also know as an unbridled drive for profit at any expense.

What do you think?

Simply put, as humans we all live the good and the bad. We’re driven by the same will to survive and then thrive. The term tends to be thrown around very easily and given a lot of lip service by marketers. “We want to consider the people first!” Well it sounds good, but do they really or does it just make for compelling headlines.

If you really want to study the human condition then just pay attention. Look to the people at the bus stop and wonder if they own a car. Watch the janitor mopping your floor and consider whether he’s working that hard to feed his family. Talk to somebody who lives alone and see if the isolation is killing their mind.

We all suffer because we’re human. It’s just a matter of time before the pit swallows you up. You should hope at that moment that some other human has true empathy and reaches down to help you up, but why not just be that human first?

There are also times when I receive fantastic notes…this is one of those occasions and, per the writer, needs to be shared and I agree…

Dear Danny,
I have a favour to ask of you .
Would you please share my reflections in the email I sent you earlier, (below) with your beautiful wife, all the coaching team and all the coaching members?
I am authorizing you use this passage in your publications , talks or wherever possible. Paul was the reason I joined coaching, I wanted to free up more time to spend with him ,and to have a future together. We are so close that we can hardly stand to be apart , missing each other throughout the day .
He is my motivation , my rock ,my rasion d’etre . We were on that path to making more time away from work and for each other ,and for this I am grateful.
Please sure to keep it in context & respectful. I know you will , I just had to be clear.
My love to All.
xoxoxo
Clara
Clara Mitchell Enns
Hearts & Homes Property Group
RE/MAX Performance Realty
www.claramitchellenns.com
204-452-9627

From: Clara Mitchell Enns
Sent: October 5, 2010 11:14 PM
To: Danny Griffin

Hello Danny ,
Yesterday was looking forward to our small group mastery call.
I had much good to share , many small victories
Today I can only share sadness.
The love of my life, Paul, passed away yesterday, quite suddenly.
It was a beautiful autumn day amongst men. He was in his element. When I arrived at the scene, it had already been a long time the paramedics onsite staff had tried to resuscitate him, and in the ambulance ride to the hospital I was told it didn’t look good for him.
At least had we begun social dance lessons and he was successfully leading me through the jive steps. You once told me to keep that image in my thoughts , I’m s glad you did and that we acted on it.
Now I actually have a real image of our eyes meeting , looking into one another’s for cues that only our love command.
This weekend we spent almost entirely with each other, & he thanked me for spending the whole weekend with him. Can you believe that? “with whom else would I be spending time?”. I’d teased him fully realising we often gave ‘our” time to others.
Garry Keller is so right when he says that our family spells love “T-I-M-E”. I am do grateful that we had dedicated this time to each other.
I’m concentrating arrangements for Paul’s life celebration which we are hosting next Tuesday evening.
I have to make some decisions about his business affairs & yet real estate is there. But so little else really seems to matter right now
Thank you, Danny,
Good night.