What Do You Do
When No One is Looking?
July 1, 2002
In a survey, commissioned by Starwood Hotels &
Resorts, 82% of 401 high-ranking corporate executives admit to
cheating on the golf course. Interestingly, most cheating occurs
when nobody is looking. Or, when the cheater thinks nobody is
looking.
A dozen CEO's interviewed by USA TODAY said they
personally bend the rules sometimes, but they witness other
CEO's doing it constantly. Those who only cheat occasionally say
they've seen other men improving their lies, hitting do-over
shots (mulligans), conveniently forgetting a whiff or a missed
3-foot-put, kicking their balls out of the rough or kicking
their opponent's ball into the sand--ouch.
Okay, you may be wondering, what's the point? So
golfers cheat. What's the big deal? The big deal is what these
men do with a golf stroke translates into meaningful decisions.
If someone will cheat on the golf course when they think nobody
is looking they'll also cheat at business. They'll dishonestly
take advantage of a business negotiation. They'll put a thumb on
the scale and present their company as having a greater value
than it actually does. They'll distort the books.
Consider World Com, its leaders misled investors
by misrepresenting their profits. The former leaders of Rite Aid
schemed to inflate profits. The ex-CEO of Tyco has been charged
with evading taxes on art. The fraud at Enron cost thousands
their jobs and their retirement--not to mention the millions
lost by investors. The list goes on and on--Aldelphia, Global
Crossing, ImClone Systems and Dynergy. It appears as though
Xerox is the next giant to fall because of dishonesty at the
highest level. All of these companies had leaders who tried to
cheat in the market place.
You may think there's a big difference between
cheating on the golf course and cheating in the marketplace. But
the only difference is the scope of the act and the seriousness
of the consequences. No serious act of deceit is a man's first.
It's simply the latest step in a series of steps that became
progressively more severe.
The only way to avoid such serious and harmful
decisions is to avoid taking the first small step. We cheat
because we want to appear better than we are or we seek the
advantage cheating gives us. I'm convinced one of the greatest
weaknesses we must address is our tendency to tell little lies
or occasionally cheat at golf--or some other inconsequential
game.
James said, "Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,'
no, or you will be condemned" (James 5:12). In other words, be
honest. Play by the rules--even if it hurts your game. If you
make a promise, keep it--even if it brings inconvenience or
financial loss.
We should live honestly, even when we think nobody
is watching. Because ultimately, someone is watching. And I
guarantee you; God is more impressed with an honest man who
sores 100, than one who dishonestly breaks par.
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