Spirit Lake Consulting Forum

This is an example from the new ethics course we are creating. We would be very interested in any suggestions or opinions anyone might have on the course or ethical topics.

Ignoring Policy for Personal Favors: One example of a thousand

Years ago, two board members, each sitting on a different governing board, were hired by the organizations of which they were board members.  According to policy, this meant that they would have to resign from their respective boards. You cannot be an employee and sit on the board at the same time because it creates a conflict of interest situation. On the one hand, for example, you report to the principal, college president or project director and that person is your boss. On the other hand, you are on the board that decides on the president's, etc. employment, salary and so on. This makes it very difficult for your supervisor to  treat you just like any other employee. If your supervisor just gave you a raise or wrote you up for faulty performance, it will be very difficult for you to make the best decision for the organization and ignore your personal feelings.

One board member had more influence with the tribal council than the other board members therefore, he was allowed it keep his position on the board although he was also an employee.  The other board member complained and you guessed it, he also was allowed to remain on the board although he was now an employee.  The reason given, we did for one person, so we have to do it for the other one. 

What was the impact of this case of ignoring policies and who, what harm, if any, came as a result of it? If my memory is correct:

1.    The employees (tribal members and non-Tribal ) lost respect for the tribal government. 
2.    The employees (tribal members and non-Tribal ) lost respect for the governing board.

When tribal workers lose respect for the governing body it affects their morale.  Low morale leads to poor employee performance. Losing respect for both the governing body of the tribe and the organization was a double whammy for the organization.

3.    The employees began approaching this employee/board member rather than follow the chain-of-command.  This undermined the head of the organation’s authority and chaos followed.