Growing up, I was rightly taught that personal reputation and integrity was the most valuable asset you can have and Janet and I have built a successful business on our reputations and good name.  Our clients don’t come to us exclusively because of our expertise.  They come to us because they hear about our integrity and honesty, how we have no ulterior motives, and how when we make a commitment, they can take it to the bank.

As Teddy Roosevelt said (I read this on the wall at the entrance to the Museum of Natural History in New York City)   “A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can.”

Personal Standards and Expectations

I’m sometimes criticized for having “unrealistic” job screening requirements.  I make no secret that I prefer people with high moral standards, people with top-notch educations people who give-back (servicemen, people who donate time to charities) and people with a demonstrable work ethic, and above all, no history of moral turpitude (paying bills late, criminal convictions).  I have many consultants who far exceed my own abilities, and I make no excuse for hiring the best people that I can find.

But it is more than just skill and formal education.  I was taught to never, ever hire anyone who lies, even once.  Believe it or not, there are still folks out there who really adhere to the simple principle:

“I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do”

As a group, my staff is over-represented by people with Faith, people with military backgrounds, and people who have pulled-themselves up by their own bootstraps.  One of my best consultants never had an opportunity to finish College, yet he became a world-renowned expert in his field.  

Have Personal Integrity

Sometimes I think that I was born in the wrong century.  When my great-grandpa was captured by the Yankees after Gettysburg he was sent to the Old Capital POW camp in Washington DC.  Sensing that he was an honorable man, the Yankees set him free after he swore a solemn oath that he would not take-up arms against the Yankees.  During the worst combat in the Civil War, he walked out the prison gates, a free man.  Now I ask you, how often does this sort thing occur today?

My Dad was born in a farmhouse in 1914 and he taught me that nobody is going to give you a free ride and that personal honor, above all, is the key to success.  If you read Conrad’s Hiltons book “Be My Guest”, he had very-much the same philosophy.  Once word gets around that you are trustworthy, banks open their coffers and people come to know that your word is your bond. 

I built my business on my personal integrity.  More than 80% of my business is from repeat clients and referrals.  Word gets around.  If say that I will do something, it’s going to get done, and it’s a sad reflection on society that my success is due in large-part to the lack of integrity among my competition.

My parents died when I was a teenager, and even when I was as poor as a church mouse, I never, ever, paid a bill late.  In college, my prized Nikon camera has made innumerable visits to the pawn shop so that I always paid my debts on-time, every time.

Even today, I do a credit check on all my new job applicants and I don’t look favorably upon late-payment of loans.  Even parking tickets bother me.  Today, my staff is over-represented with people who share my moral convictions, and I make no apologies for tossing-away applicants with any sign of moral turpitude. 

I also detest people who cheat and plagiarize, and there are some very well-known Oracle experts that I detest for evidence of disrespect and dishonesty, and even little things like twisting words in during a debate or being rude to beginners indicates a lack of integrity.

Robert Freeman (a man of unimpeachable personal integrity) calls these people “Evil”, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Death before Dishonor

I was the son of a senior Air Force officer and I vividly remember the tattoo’s proclaiming “Death before Dishonor” and I remember Dad explaining the importance of living-up to a set of ideals.  I was taught to protect my reputation, regardless of the personal costs.  I have always been taught not to stand by and allow anyone to smear your good name, and because dueling has been outlawed, the legal system is the only recourse (Libel laws were specifically introduced to stop dueling). 

I’m reminded of JFK in the early 1960’s when ABC news broke a rumor that JFK did not author his Pulitzer Prize winning book “Profiles in Courage”.  JFK replied “sue the bastards” and he filed a $50,000,000 lawsuit for libel and he immediately got an apology and retraction.  Good for him.

xxx