Recently, as a consequence of the financial scandal generated by the La Polar company that affected both the Stock Market and the AFP Pension Fund Administrators in Chile (in whom we all trust our future), I have realized that no matter how hard we try in our classrooms to install in our students an ethical and socially responsible procedure, I see that in the day to day, or what I call the real world, the daily actions of professionals and company directors, probably due to demands “of the hyper competitiveness of the market”, it lacks this important ethical component, forgetting many times that our decisions always affect other elements of the environment (TGS calls it globalism).
A few years ago a group of recent graduates from Harvard Business School worried about the growing distrust of citizens towards companies and entrepreneurs, as a result of the fraud of large companies that undoubtedly affected society. They drew up an oath, to which some 5,000 executives from around the world have already joined, guiding and converting their daily actions and actions into ethical behaviors of all their business decisions, regardless of the sector in which they are developed, seeking a balance in the duo Company-Society.
The oath states the following:
As a leader, manager or person who will actively participate in the business of my company, I recognize that I have an important role in society. My goal is to manage people and manage business resources to create value that no one person can establish alone. Today and tomorrow my decisions affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my company.
Therefore, I promise you that:
• I will manage my business with loyalty and care. They will not advance my personal interests at the cost of submitting my company or society.
• I understand and support, in letter spirit, the laws and contracts that govern my conduct and that of my company with society.
• I will refrain from corruption, unfair competition, or harmful business practices that affect my company or society.
• I will protect the human rights and dignity of all the people who run my company, and I will oppose discrimination and exploitation.
• I will protect the right of future generations to advance their standard of living and enjoy a healthy planet.
• I will inform myself of the results and the risks that my company has incurred in a reliable and honest way.
• I will invest in my own development and that of others, help the management profession and continue to advance to create sustainable and inclusive prosperity.
In the exercise of my professional functions in accordance with these principles, I recognize that my conduct must set an example of integrity, which will provoke trust and the esteem of those I work for. I will continue to be accountable to my colleagues and to society for my actions and for the defense of this OATH. I take this oath freely, and on my honor
It is good that every so often and every time we train or obtain a title or degree related to management and business, we take this oath, perhaps thus, we would act more ethically and socially responsible, taking the weight that our behaviors and decisions, most of the time it can affect someone in society.
