The events in Satyam Computer Services ( the IT outsourcing giant from India) have shocked all of us. Satyam in Sanskrit ironically means "truth". We all react in our own way. A lot of us react to it as if it is part of the larger problem of corporate corruption. Some call for stricter accounting rules, regulations and checks.
My belief is honesty and integrity should start in small things with each of us. How many of us can claim to have been honest all the time, even in simple things where it is easier to be honest Here is a story from a coworker friend:
"I went to an Arts and Handicrafts shop at commercial street in Bangalore to buy some souvenirs from India. When I asked for the bill, the guy tells me: If you need a bill, then you will have to pay Rs 11 more. I said, I was willing to pay the extra money. He immediately asked whether I was buying for a company. I said no it is a personal shopping. In sheer disbelief he asked me why I wanted to pay more. I said I would like to encourage taxes being paid properly. He looked at me for a few seconds before writing me the bill. This was not my first experience and I am sure most of us in India deal with these types of transactions "normally".
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Isn't leadership about authenticity and integrity? Should it not start with each one of us ? Or can we get around by enacting more rules and regulations to fix the problems?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
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