Doing the Right Thing: Leaders Gather at Ziglar Center to Discuss Ethics

Talk about a tall order!  How do you get state legislative leaders to come to a small university in Bethany, Oklahoma to talk about ethics?  Apparently, you just need to ask.  At the invitation of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 35 legislative leaders from 22 states gathered for two days to discuss how they can encourage ethical decision making and behavior in their states and chambers at Doing the Right Thing: Restoring Institutional Integrity and Regaining Public Trust. Joined by a couple dozen leaders from the corporate community and experts on ethical decision making from across the country, leaders explored how to identify, prevent and respond effectively to the ethical dilemmas that they and their members face on a daily basis.

The program, held September 18 and 19 at the Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership at Southern Nazarene University, opened with comments on the challenges, importance and opportunity for ethical leadership in America’s state legislatures.  Following these opening remarks, participants heard from Bryan Flanagan of the Ziglar Company who led a dynamic discussion of how to identify potential problems among legislators and respond effectively depending on the member’s personality type.  Then, Jim Ziglar, who has more than three decades of public service, inspired everyone with his thoughts on the short term costs, but long term benefits of holding to high ethical standards.

Following lunch, Dr. Joanne Ciulla of the University of Richmond’s School of Ethical Leadership helped leaders explore the historical and literary origins of leadership, challenging participants to “do the right things, the right way and for the right reasons.”  While it would be great if no one ever made mistakes, such expectations ignore the reality of human nature.  Therefore, Michael Shannon of MANDATE, an Arlington based public-relations firm, offered concrete advice for responding effectively in the case of a crisis.  Using slides and video that had participants “rolling in the aisles,” Shannon reminded participants that a direct response, tinged with a bit of humor where appropriate, can help them or their members survive an ethical crisis.

Finally, Dr. Kirk Hanson, Founder and Executive Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, used case studies, stories and exercises to help participants develop a framework for determining if a decision raises an ethical dilemma and, if so, what is the appropriate ethical decision.  Dr. Hanson and Thom Little of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation left participants with some concrete steps they can take to minimize the chance that they or members of their caucus would be caught in the ethical traps that have snared so many in recent years.

If you would like further information on the program, feel free look at the program agenda and click on some of the presentations and readings or contact Thom Little at tlittle@sllf.org.

Contributed by Thom Little, Director of Curriculum Development and Research
State Legislative Leaders Foundation