There's No Such Thing as "Business" Ethics: There's Only One Rule for Making Decisions [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

This is a motivating, short, and easy to read book that tries to persuade the reader to adopt and apply the Golden Rule to their life as the ethical standard. Although the title of this book could mislead and create the wrong impression that it is intended to be read by businesspersons, this book can be used by anyone, since the general purpose is to apply the Golden Rule not only to the business environment but also to the personal life of the readers.

The book will generate great results and deep impact in the life of those persons, whom regardless of their social status or occupation, find themselves lost or disoriented regarding to their ethics standards. Throughout examples and real life stories in several aspects, the author illustrates his points and creates consciousness among the readers. At the end of each of the seven chapters, readers will find four to six straightforward questions that will help them look inside themselves and reflect what they have just read.

The author starts the book by citing ethical issues that have been creating concern in our society. Afterward, he focuses in the benefits and the importance of the Golden Rule. Subsequently, readers will find valuable tips of how to start thinking and applying this concept, which give introduction to other concept known as character. In chapter 5, the book encloses five factors that are considered to be the deceivers for people to follow an appropriate ethic path. Later, in the following chapter, the Dr. John C. Maxwell persuades readers to follow eight of his suggestions of how people can develop strong character in order to pursue golden opportunities. Finally, the author invites the readers to pursue the Golden Rule instead of the "Real Gold" by adopting five practices.

It is refreshing to have Maxwell remind us that integrity goes much deeper than what is legal. His thesis is that a form of the Golden Rule, (Do unto to others, as you would have them do unto you,) is the only way to make tough, ethical decisions in any area of your life.

One of the problems I had was that the book really is geared towards leaders of companies, and doesn't address what you are to do if you are caught in a situation where you really don't have any power over the decisions of the company, but you are forced to execute those decisions, even if they are unethical. He praises whistle-blowers, but he doesn't seem to openly advocate the practice.

To his credit, Maxwell does state that using the Golden Rule will not always bring you success, but he states it as a kind of afterthought. His example of a high school football coach benching his players for underage drinking and then losing the big game because of their absence is hard to apply to a real life busniness situation. Having a tough sales deal on the line that can make or break the company and mean that you or people you work with or work under will lose their jobs, or their bonuses can be a little more stressful and make white lies, (especially when they are advocated by the higher-ups,) seem more inconsequential. And please understand that I am not saying that it makes them more right.

Like most of Maxwell's books it lays out some great food for thought and it really will help you to think about your actions and how you conduct yourself. However, also like Maxwell's other books, it doesn't give you a clear roadmap of how to succeed in this area.