I haven't had a good rant and rave in some time, so here goes.
A recent article in the Associated Press (by David Crary) was about the current class of students. Crary called them the Class of Dishonesty.
Here are the stats. In the past year,
30% of high school students have stolen from a store.
64% have cheated on a test.
38% cheated two or more times.
36% say they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment.
20% admitted they stole something from a friend.
23% said they stole something from a family member.
All these statistics are several percentage points (3-4) worse than last year. Project that out a few years and see what numbers you come up with.
And . . . here is the rub . . .
93% of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character!!!
77% believed that when it comes to doing what is right, they are BETTER than their peers!!!
Here is what I see when I read articles like this. Without any doubt, we live in a world where:
I deserve what I want.
If I can get away with it I will.
If I am caught I'll probably protest.
I can spin about myself with the best of them.
Everyone else is doing it.
Self-deception is a wonderful skill for today.
If you read down to about two days ago, check out the post on Autonomous Individualism and Narcissistic Hedonism. This is just an example.
Now, put these people with this ethics in Wall Street, in senior management in Fortune 500 Companies, in governmental positions and any place else where leadership is required. And think about the results.
Well, just look at the mess we are in today and think a little bit how we got here.
Should anyone be surprised at the consequences?
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7)
Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows . . . Let us not become weary in doing good . . . (Galatians 6:7-9)
We certainly need a new kind of leader. Are there any takers . . . ?
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
