I had the pleasure of listening to Kenneth Starr give a speech Tuesday morning at the Magill Business and Ethics Symposium at the Drescher Graduate Campus Pepperdine University in Malibu. Starr gave the keynote address. His message was on developing a culture of “right doing”. I was captivated. Starr is an effective and entertaining speaker. He connected with his audience through cogent illustrations using mainstream ethical dilemmas, like that of Michael Eisner and Disney. His lecture centered on five key area’s.
1. The Integrity Principle (which has been largely dishonored)
2. Innovation (the need for think time)
3. Dignity (Relationship management, dignity and respect)
4. Compassion (what do you do with your wealth?)
5. Ethics based on principle
Starr’s message was about community, it was about thoughtful purposeful action, and it was about grounding oneself in the moral principle of “right doing”. Companies are communities. Companies can subscribe to “right doing”. His message was Christian but I didn’t mind. Even though I am a confirmed Atheist, I still think and act this way, or at least I try too.
A couple of interesting points: Starr did not mention Clinton, not even obliquely. Starr talked about attending bible studies with Dennis Bakke as if it was something quite ordinary. Starr drove himself to the speech. Starr came across like a person who cares; it really was quite impressive.
Of course, 15 minutes after Starr’s speech, I attended a “greed is good” discussion of the high yield bond market…
