Billions of dollars have reportedly gone missing from Sam Bankman-Fried’s high profile company, FTX. As the best-known leader in the cryptocurrency world, Sam Bankman-Fried, often called SBF, used other people’s money to gain influence. His so-called Effective Altruism approach deceived people to believe he made lots of money so that he could generously give it away. Instead, SBF illegally used ...
As I’ve read with interest about the questionable actions of Sam Bankman-Fried, and the demise of FTX, I marvel at the level of corruption involved. Moral failures can impact so many lives. When we see someone in business who has a moral failure, the most dangerous thought we can have is, “I’m a good person. That would never happen to ...
In this series, we’re pondering the Ten Commandments. Many small businesses can be devastated when these commands are violated. For example, if you want to ruin a restaurant, spread rumors about seeing mice or cockroaches in their kitchen. Or, if you want to better your chances for a promotion, begin a whisper campaign slandering your rival’s character. But, Exodus ...
In this series, we’re pondering the Ten Commandments. Years ago, my friend, Frank, helped a convicted felon be released early from prison by offering him a job. Years later, Frank’s good deed was dishonored when this convicted felon stole Frank’s customer list and his proprietary technology and began a competing business. Although Frank chose not to prosecute this thief, there ...
In this series, we’re pondering the Ten Commandments. The eighth commandment is one that is frequently violated in the workplace. Matter of fact, I’m embarrassed to say that it is one of the commandments that I violated on multiple occasions as a teenager. There is no way to sugar coat it, I was a thief. While working at a department ...
When I was in banking, the bank foreclosed on a house by holding an auction on the courthouse steps. Only two people showed up, our bank attorney and me. When new information surfaced after the auction, my boss asked me to illegally change the sale documents in our favor. Then I remembered that God was on those courthouse steps. ...
As a bank executive I was required to complete an annual conflict of interest report for our bank regulators. This report was looking for any affiliations and any financial transactions I was involved in with outside organizations that may also have a relationship with the bank. Although it felt like an invasion of privacy, I recognized it to be ...
Kathy and I were visiting a new city and wanted to experience local food. The hotel concierge recommended and called a restaurant for reservations. At first, the restaurant refused to take our reservation. Our concierge pressed on until we were finally promised a reservation at precisely 6:45, not earlier or later. The next night we were excited to try ...
Many salespeople have told me a similar story. When the pressure rises, they begin hearing their bosses say, “If you get someone on the phone, tell them whatever you have to in order to close the sale.” Many salespeople are commanded to lie to gain customers. This creates a dilemma for those who desire to live out their faith ...
The Securities Exchange Commission recently levied a $100 million fine against the public accounting firm Ernst and Young. EY employees were found to be cheating on ethics exams and EY reportedly deceived the SEC about the cheating. "It's simply outrageous that the very professionals responsible for catching cheating by clients cheated on ethics exams," the SEC said in a ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
