“Sunday Funday just got a whole lot smarter! As we kick off the new week, Morningpicker is excited to bring you a special edition of our Sunday Book Review, spotlighting the latest insights from renowned compliance expert Thomas Fox. In his latest article, “The Business Fairness at Work Edition,” Fox, a.k.a. the ‘Compliance Evangelist,’ delves into the intricacies of ensuring fairness in the workplace. With the rise of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and other social movements, the importance of fair and equitable practices has never been more pressing. In this timely and thought-provoking piece, Fox shares his expertise on how businesses can create a culture of fairness, inclusivity, and respect, while staying compliant with ever-evolving regulations. So, grab your morning coffee, get comfortable, and join us as we dive into the world of compliance and explore the must-know strategies for creating a workplace where everyone thrives.”
Leadership Lessons from King Arthur
According to the legends, King Arthur achieved quite a bit in one lifetime. He established a kingdom, ruled his castle, Camelot, and brought peace and order to the land based on law, justice, and morality. He founded an order known as the Knights of the Round Table where in all knights are seated as equals around the table, symbolizing equality, unity, and oneness.
Nicole Lastimado, in a blog post entitled “Characteristics of a Good Leader :)”, identified five characteristics that she believed made Arthur a good leader. Adapting Lastimado, King Arthur was (1) Honest, in that he displayed sincerity, integrity, and candor in his actions. (2) Intelligent, because he read and studied. (3) Courageous, because he had the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. (4) Imaginative because he adapted by making timely and appropriate changes in his thinking, plans, and methods. Finally, (5) Inspiring, because through demonstrating confidence, he inspired his knights and those in his Kingdom to reach for new heights. I would add as a separate category that Arthur led from the front.
Leading from the Front: King Arthur’s Approach
I thought about those qualities when I read a couple of recent articles in the Morningpicker. The first was by the Chronicle Business Columnist, L. M. Sixel, entitled “Leaders possess the keys to safety”, and the second was an Op-Ed entitled “Trust Shaken”. Both articles discussed corporate issues that have led to catastrophic injuries or even deaths and more importantly how the entities involved reacted. The first article discussed safety at the workplace and the second health issues in the processing of food products. In her article Sixel, wrote, “A company truly interesting in making sure its workers are safe has to come up with ways to make it easy and risk-free to bring up potential safety problems.” Moreover, the corporate attitude which fosters this “starts with leadership.” She cited to Frank Reiner, the president of the Chlorine Institute, who recently said in a speech to the group’s annual conference in Houston “You have to eliminate the fear.” Additionally, “Once the cause is identified, similar accidents can be prevented, he said. The message that people are free to come forward to talk about what went wrong and why has to come from the top down. Identifying problems not only is everyone’s responsibility but also a companywide expectation.” Equally important is for a company to learn from its mistakes. Obviously, there should be a root cause analysis after a disaster. At the same conference, the Keynote Speaker, John E. Michel, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and author of “The Art of Positive Leadership: Becoming a Person Worth Following”, said “After a disaster, there is a big investigation to find out why it happened and fix the problem before it can happen again. Sometimes, whole fleets are grounded after an airline crash.” However, Michel noted that it is important to keep learning even if there is no disaster. Michel “likes to pay attention to “near misses” and learn from the times things could have gone horribly wrong but didn’t” and that “There are debriefing sessions even when things go well on a flight mission and there are always tweaks to be made.” Another speaker at the conference Mark Briggs, area director of the Houston South Zone of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stated that “The most important thing about a safety program is that it is continuously improved. It is not a static document that is sent to OSHA and then forgotten.”
Compliance Lessons from King Arthur’s Round Table
Equality, Unity, and Oneness: A Compliance Program’s Foundation
The Round Table’s symbolism offers valuable insights for compliance practitioners. A core principle of this legendary assembly was equality. All knights, regardless of lineage or status, were seated as equals around the table. This signifies the importance of fostering a culture where every employee, regardless of their position, feels valued, empowered, and obligated to uphold compliance standards.
Unity and oneness were also paramount at the Round Table. The knights were united in their commitment to King Arthur, their shared values, and their mission to protect the realm. Similarly, a strong compliance program requires a unified and collaborative approach. All departments and employees must work together to understand, implement, and maintain compliance standards.
King Arthur’s Knights: Compliance Practitioners as Role Models
The Knights of the Round Table were renowned for their integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice. Compliance practitioners today can draw inspiration from these qualities. They serve as guardians of ethical conduct within organizations, upholding the law and promoting a culture of integrity.
- Demonstrating Integrity and Candor in Actions: Compliance professionals must act with transparency, honesty, and ethical conduct in all their dealings.
- Staying Up-to-Date with Compliance Requirements: The legal and regulatory landscape is constantly evolving. Compliance practitioners need to be vigilant in staying abreast of changes and ensuring that their organizations’ practices remain compliant.
- Adapting to Changing Compliance Landscape: As technology advances and business practices evolve, compliance programs must adapt to remain effective.
- Fostering Collaboration and Cooperation: Compliance should be a shared responsibility across all departments and levels of an organization.
- Encouraging Diversity of Thought and Perspective: Different perspectives contribute to a more robust and effective compliance program.
- Promoting a Culture of Continuous Improvement: The concept of the Round Table as a living and evolving entity emphasizes the need for ongoing evaluation and improvement of compliance practices.
- Developing a Culture of Transparency and Accountability: Open communication, clear expectations, and readily available information are essential for building trust and fostering a culture where compliance is embedded in the organization’s DNA.
- Encouraging Open Communication and Reporting: Create a safe space for employees to raise concerns, report potential violations, and offer suggestions for improvement without fear of retaliation.
- Fostering a Sense of Ownership and Responsibility: Empower employees to take ownership of compliance within their roles and understand the importance of their contributions to the overall success of the program.
- Developing a Compliance Program with Equality, Unity, and Oneness: Ensure that all employees, regardless of their position, feel valued and empowered to contribute to compliance efforts.
- Demonstrating Integrity and Candor in Actions: Compliance professionals must embody the highest ethical standards in their conduct.
- Staying Up-to-Date with Compliance Requirements: Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial to maintaining a robust and effective compliance program.
The Round Table’s Symbolism: A Unified Compliance Approach
The physical representation of the Round Table itself offers valuable symbolism. Its circular shape signifies that all voices are equal, and decisions are made through open and inclusive discussions. This echoes the importance of fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration within a compliance program.
Practical Applications for Compliance Practitioners
Applying King Arthur’s Leadership Qualities to Compliance
By adopting King Arthur’s leadership qualities, compliance practitioners can create a more effective and engaging compliance environment.
Lessons from King Arthur’s Round Table for Compliance Practitioners
The Round Table provides a timeless model for creating a unified and effective compliance program.
Conclusion
As we conclude our Sunday Book Review of Thomas Fox’s article, “The Business Fairness at Work Edition”, it is evident that the author has provided a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of fairness in the workplace. Fox argues that fairness is not just a moral imperative, but a crucial component of a business’s success, as it fosters trust, increases employee engagement, and ultimately drives profitability. The article highlights the importance of implementing fair practices in areas such as compensation, promotions, and conflict resolution.
The significance of this topic cannot be overstated, as it has far-reaching implications for both individuals and organizations. As the global workforce continues to evolve, it is essential that businesses prioritize fairness and transparency to maintain a competitive edge. Moreover, the article’s emphasis on the need for a cultural shift towards fairness underscores the importance of leadership buy-in and a commitment to creating a just and equitable work environment.
As we look to the future, it is clear that the concept of fairness at work will only continue to grow in importance. As technology and automation disrupt traditional industries, fairness will become a critical factor in shaping the future of work. By prioritizing fairness and adopting best practices, businesses can not only build a stronger, more resilient workforce but also create a competitive advantage that sets them apart from their peers. In conclusion, fairness is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. As Fox so aptly puts it, “Fairness is not a zero-sum game; it is a win-win for all.”