Hey, GMAC, every generation seems to have said that about the following generation. (However, that does not mean you are wrong. I share the same opinion and am rarely wrong! ) dewar…
Loved the Eller quote.
I know that each generation somewhat disdains the succeeding generation in some fashion and to some degree. There are changes in music, dress, speech, etc. but I believe there are certain rock solid characteristics that should be aspired to, taught, supported and valued by society. The obvious ones are integrity, ethics, honesty, etc.
Deceiving, lying, cheating, etc. cannot be earmarks of an honorable society. We cannot allow “the times” or the next generation to gravitate towards a position where these elements become even somewhat acceptable. Giving in to the movement or, worse yet, being a willing participant devalues us, harms our families and certainly contributes nothing positive to our country. There is no real or ultimate happiness to be found in this direction either. I have seen far to many people in my life who have cheated, deceived and lied and who had apparently done well as far as anybody could tell. In time most were found to be paying the price. There was unhappiness, disrespect by their acquaintances and community, sometimes a loss of family and variety of other visible evidence. How does one deal with an issue where their children find out their father or mother is a cheat, a liar or is disrespected in the community? How does one deal with a situation where no respectable person wants to be around them?
I read something interesting a few years ago about homeless people. The question was why there seems to be so many more homeless people today as opposed to decades ago. One theory put forth pointed out that our large cities have the majority of the homeless whereas very few are found in small town America. This theory postulated that in decades past there was always a stigma attached to being homeless. In our large cities this stigma has mostly disappeared whereas it still exists in small towns. Can it be today (in this instance concerning our employees) that the stigma that used to apply to dishonesty (name your vice) has been greatly diminished?
I had an attorney friend and I remember when we had a U.S. President who boldly lied to the American public. She defended his actions by saying that everybody lies and that it was no big deal. Well, I think it is a big deal and it matters not the political party. The President of the United States represents all of us, he is looked up to by children, he is the most prominent face of this country to the world. He is, and must be, held to a higher standard. “Everybody does it” and “no big deal” just doesn’t work.
If there is any agreement that the values above are critically important to us then how do we ensure their validity? How do we ensure that this generation and the next hold them dear and understand how critical they are? I can only guess but my first thoughts are that each one of us, individually, shows by example, by word and by deed every day and at every opportunity as best we can. We pass it on to our children and our employees. As employers I think we have a unique opportunity to touch our employees while many of them are still in their formative stages. Many of them are still deciding, sometimes whether they know it or not, what is right and which way they want to go. This is not being nosy or intrusive; it is passing on lessons and values that over the span of history have proven their value. It does not require, suggest or try to influence vocational, political or personal decisions or lifestyles. Young employees can really be a headache sometimes and frustrating as some here have said. But there are rewards. There is the reward of building a good business with the right culture. There is the reward, of occasionally helping one young person get off the wrong track and on to the right one.
I apologize for such a long post, way to much time on my hands tonight not to mention that it is off topic I think. This is the Dr Laura thread is it not?
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