Are You a Tiger, Or Do You Have Character?

Tiger is just the tip of the iceberg. Just another reflection of what is going on in our society, and has become commonplace  in private life and in business. With each new revelation from a celebrity or politician – we get less and less sensitive to moral and ethical transgressions. Perhaps, you are even guilty yourself.

 If it’s easy to be cynical when we see something new revealed on TV, imagine how easy it is to do the same when it’s a co-worker, neighbor, sibling – or even a spouse. We start to think, “Well, everyone else is doing it, why not Jayne?” “All men are cheaters.” “50% of all marriages end in divorce anyway.” “Everyone else at work is doing what it takes to get business.” Where does that leave you?

 In the office, when you overhear someone tell a lie, or streeeetch the truth because they need to close a sale – you act like it’s okay. Well, the economy IS bad. The line becomes gray when you really need that commission, or (pay) check. Maybe there’s something that you should tell a client or your boss, but the truth could cost you a sale, or your job – so you don’t.

Someone in my office steals food from the lunchroom refrigerator. If there’s a sandwich, they will eat half & leave the rest. Charles just lost half of his lasagna & 1 of 2 pieces of garlic bread. They are just kind enough to leave some for the owner. Maybe they’re not so bad…there’s a little hope.

A variation of one of my favorite quotes is: “True character is revealed in the choices a human being makes under pressure – the greater the pressure, the deeper the revelation, the truer the choice to the character’s essential nature.” Robert McKee also indicates that if someone insists on telling the truth when a lie would save their life (or a job, or sale), then we get the sense that honesty is at the core of their nature. What is your true nature?

How would YOU answer these questions?

1. You’re walking down an empty hallway in a hotel or other building(there are no cameras or people), you find a wallet/purse with five $20 bills sticking out, what would you do?
2. You are getting change back from a cashier in the store, and instead of giving you a $10 bill, he gives you a $100 bill. What do you do? Instead of a $1 bill, you get a $10 bill– what do you do?
3. It’s a windy day, you park your car and the wind causes your car door to bump the car next to you with force – no one saw you, and it causes a noticeable dent – what do you do?
4. You are out of town alone attending a conference. You don’t know anyone else attending. You are in a restaurant alone in this small town when someone attractive of the opposite sex propositions you. There is no way anyone will ever know anything – would you be tempted? To flirt? To cheat?

So, are you a Tiger, or is your character fully intact? Remember, it is a choice. P.S. My answer to #3 cost me $256. Darn.

[Via http://staceyjcsrealestateblog.wordpress.com]