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the ammunition to back it up.

But, my code of ethics, my morals, kept me in check. I refused to say anything bad about him. In fact, I went out of my way to be loyal to him and speak well of him.

I wrote that experience off as a lesson in office politics. But, guess what?
Several years latter, I was seeking employment with another company. I did get the job and a significant salary increase.

Apparently, my new employer contacted my old company about my work references. And, to my delight, I received raving good references! It turns out, that the person my new employer talk with, was my old "competitor". Remember, the guy who beat me out of the sales manager job? Well apparently he couldn't say enough good things about me. This guy knew I could have created real trouble for him when I was with his company, but I didn't. My old competitor was no fool, and he repaid me with as much praise that he could muster up.

Most people can see the value in living with good morals. And they do, as long as it is convenient for them. The problem lies when there is a conflict of self-interest. A rub or direct conflict for what seemingly appears, that doing something, would be good for them, but not for someone else. So how do you draw the line?

We are all human and no one is perfect, yours truly included. It helps to keep a perspective on things,you know, like "short and long term". If you cut someone's throat and get that "prize", who knows what is going to happen to you down the line?

I am a firm believer in "What goes around comes around". I have lived long enough to witness Karma and the law of cause and effect. You may not see the immediate bad "pay back" results, but eventually, I believe, the bad stuff catches up with you.

The bad results, from unethical behavior, can come to you in a seemingly very benign manner. Eventually, this insignificant annoyance, can turn into a roaring disaster for you.

If President Nixon where living, what do you suppose he would tell you about Watergate? This was a petty theft of Democratic records that some of his associates wanted to see. And,I am sure you know the rest of the story. This incident got him impeached and thrown out of office.

I know a guy who was one very sharp businessman. He accumulated many successes and lots of money. His one problem was, he was always looking for the "angle" or quick buck. Well, just the other day I checked up on him to see how he was doing.

You guessed it. Apparently he fell in with some wrong associates. It seems the States Attorney shut down him and his partners. He was forced to declare bankruptcy.

Finally, living a moral life makes you feel good about yourself. When you stick with your code of ethics, regardless of what happens to you, you gain a sense of strong identity and character.

You not only give respect to your
Code, but you give honor to yourself. And don't kid yourself, people will mark you as a person that lives with integrity and can be trusted. That's your Reputation, and that's something money can't buy.

Learn more about this author, Jack Marinchek.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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