Here’s an interesting nuance to performance. You most likely know this to be true. Here it is. This should not be surprising.
Most people, given the chance, will CHEAT. Yes, it’s true. We live in a world full of cheaters and specifically thieves. Here’s the surprising piece. The majority of the thieves do NOT attack us in the night. Although they did my son Jordan just last weekend. That is another story.
Most thieves, in America, operate with a suit on. Here’s some evidence. In 2004 525 million was the total amount stolen by burglars. That same year, 600+ BILLION was stolen by people working in the “corporate” world. Why don’t we police that space a little tighter? Good question. Anybody got an answer?
Here’s something cool. Want to increase the likely hood that your associates won’t cheat you?
Try “hanging the TEN.” Try posting the TEN Commandments around your hallways and for that matter try posting some other moral statements that mean something to you. Why? Because simply priming people to think about moral convictions while they work changes the odds on their “cheating eyes” looking your way. Very cool.
Want to know more?
Read the book Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely. This is very well written and right in the BTL wheelhouse. Integrate these insights early and often. Dan has an interesting perspective that came from his “lying” down for sooo long. You see, Dan is an Israeli that suffered burns on 70% of his body when he was 18. This “slowed” him down for three years. He had to live in bandages for three years in a hospital. He became “curious” about his nurses and what caused their behavior. The rest is…his-story.
Check it out.
BUILT TO LEAD 
ironically i just read “How Did You Do It, Truett?” where this topic is discussed in chapter 5. i like what was said on page 52 when Truett was asked to speak to congress about this very issue of business ethics. “After agreeing to appear before you today,” I said in my opening remarks, “I had to ask myself, ‘What is the meaning of business ethics?’ I concluded that there is no such thing as business ethics. There is only personal ethics. I believe no amount of business school training or work experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of personal character. Businesses are not dishonest or selfish, people are. Thus, a business, successful or not, is merely a reflection of the character of its leadership.
i also liked a quote Truett memorized from the 3rd grade Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Trying to separate business and personal character is only a very weak attempt to rationalize living a double standard. This thought process only hurts all of us and mostly the person that believes it.