Integrity Matters Broadcasts

April 1, 2005

Global Integrity and Multicultural Organizational Integrity

Dear Friends:

We continue to expand the integrity conversation. Like others making efforts to expand integrity-centered behaviors, we are making the case for integrity-centered leadership on television, radio and through lectures and symposia. There is a need to set constructive examples and wrestle "hard issues to the ground" by assessing actions taken against values espoused.

Regarding enhancing productivity and improving the quality of life, here are four examples of how we are expanding the integrity conversation.

  1. On February 27, a local television program was devoted to: Integration for Productivity and how the American culture seems to be moving from melting pot to mosaic. http://www.brachercenter.com/article_integration.html

One advisor has suggested that the real impact of our work can be identified as Alignment for Productivity - of bringing many resources into collaborative efforts to enhance impact and profitability. Perhaps integration is global alignment and the mosaic is about humanity, everywhere, building bridges, not walls, to resolve business and economic challenges and address global communications obstacles, including natural disasters.

  1. On March 10, global integrity was again the focus; this time at the Third Annual "Integrity-Centered Leadership Forum" hosted by California State University Monterey Bay, with special guest, retired Massachusetts Congressman, now Professor of Law at Georgetown University, Fr. Robert F. Drinan. Also featured were: Mayor Anna M. Caballero (Salinas, California), former California Congressman Leon E. Panetta and James F. Bracher. 

Third Annual "Integrity-Centered Leadership Forum"

California State University Monterey Bay at the University Center -
Thursday, March 10, 2005

CSUMB Ethics Panel
Mr. James F. Bracher and Fr. Robert F. Drinan

Facing 200 students in CSU-Monterey Bay's University Center - Fr. Robert F. Drinan, professor, former member of the United States House of Representatives and author, opened the Third Annual Integrity-Centered Leadership Forum assessing international human rights . He made the point in several ways that the United States needs to do more, immediately, with reference to securing and protecting human rights or the United States risks further harm to its global image. Exporting democracy and not protecting prisoners (of war) sends the wrong signal.

When Drinan completed his remarks, Former California Congressman, Leon Panetta expanded the conversation, asking fellow panel member, Jim Bracher, founder, Bracher Center for Integrity in Leadership, whose book, Integrity Matters he referenced; to define integrity in the context of scandals at practically every level of society. Bracher's comments centered on his Eight Attributes as evidence that individuals can behave properly when they do what they say and say what they do. "It is about building trust and confidence, between customers and companies and between producers and suppliers, between and among all stakeholders. This is the meaning of character and it requires honesty, openness and a host of behaviors that confirm steadiness and dependability."

Panetta voiced urgency and outrage over the deep-pocketed influence on policymakers. "I don't sense the outrage of what we're seeing in corporate America, or even in the media," said Panetta. "Money is speaking a great deal these days in terms of policy," he said. "If people remain quiet, then nothing is going to change."

Along with Jim Bracher, Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero and former Massachusetts Congressman, Fr. Robert Drinan, Panetta facilitated a two-hour discussion on international human rights, professional ethics and integrity-centered leadership.

Students were urged to organize and stand against corporate scandals and crimes against humanity. "Integrity is the foundation of reasonable and civil discourse," mentioned Bracher, "and it is the only path upon which individuals can never get lost."

Quoting Victoria Manley, from the Monterey (California) Herald, on Friday, March 12, 2005, "I meet a lot of people who are outraged, but are they organized?" asked Drinan, a Jesuit priest known for his strong and outspoken beliefs on human rights issues. "The voice of students is very compelling," Drinan told the group. "You can never know what the power of voice is going to do."

Though organized by the business school, the discussion at times took a poignantly political turn, wrote Manley. Panetta, Drinan and Caballero -- all well-known Democrats -- didn't hesitate to criticize the leadership in state and federal government.

Mayor Caballero spoke of accountability and related individual responsibility with making sure that adequate housing was provided for the workforce needed to sustain the economy of Monterey County; namely, agribusiness and hospitality workers.

Bracher reiterated the message about listening, carefully and graciously, even to those with whom one disagrees. Civil discourse can avert civil disobedience and violence. Thoughtful and engaging interactions can lead to constructive conversations, productive give-and-take and profitable efforts, whether business-driven or socially-motivated.

  1. To learn what the Bracher Center means by Global Integrity and Multicultural Organizational Integrity; click here: http://www.brachercenter.com/services05.html
     
  2. In the meantime, consider updating your living will . The international attention given to the Ms. Terri Schiavo situation could have many positive outcomes. Discuss the ramifications of your preferences with those on whom you depend for ethical, legal and financial advice. Circumstances and laws differ, from place to place, all over the globe. Know your rights and the rights of those for whom you are accepting accountability. The following material by Robert Tanner, of the Associated Press, may be instructive:

A look at living wills and how they work

By ROBERT TANNER

The Associated Press

The Terri Schiavo case has resulted in an explosion of interest in living wills, which some estimate as few as one in four Americans have filled out. A look at some basic facts about living wills and other medical directives, in question and answer form:

Q: What is a living will?

A: A document that allows a person to state how far they want medical care to go if they become severely ill or injured and are unable to function without assistance - and, importantly, the limits they want to set on care.

Q: Where can you get a living will?

A: Forms for living wills or similar advance directives can be obtained from each state, and are also available in many other places - from hospitals, medical associations and local organizations dedicated to aging or to caring for the terminally ill. State-specific forms can be downloaded online at the Web site for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Q: Do you need a lawyer to prepare a living will?

A: No, most documents only require witnesses. Some documents require or suggest that the living will be notarized. But a lawyer can help you think through related end-of-life issues.

Q: Does a living will cost money?

A: The documents themselves can be obtained for free from many sources. A standardized living will, meeting legal requirements in 36 states, is the popular "Five Wishes" document produced by the nonprofit Aging with Dignity. It is available for $5 through that organization.

Q: What do I do with a living will once I've signed one?

A: Make several copies. Keep one in a safe place, give one to a close relative and one to your physician. Some states suggest you file a copy with your county probate court for safekeeping.

Q: Does executing a living will mean that I'm telling a doctor not to help me if I become critically ill?

A: Not necessarily. The will, depending on the choices you make, can specify what care you want and what you don't. It can tell doctors or hospitals, for example, to keep feeding you but not to help you breathe if you can no longer do that on your own.

Q: Is a living will enough?

A: Experts recommend that you should also choose a person to help manage your health care in case you become so ill that you cannot do so yourself. That person is referred to, variously, as a health care proxy, surrogate or someone who is given durable power of attorney. "Not only do you have the living will, but you have someone who can say, 'Yes, that's what the patient would've wanted," 'said Dr. Cecil Wilson, a Florida internist.

Q: Once I complete the will and select a health care proxy, am I finished?

A: If you choose to be, but experts recommend that you update the will if you are diagnosed with a serious or terminal disease.

Q: Why have so few Americans executed a living will?

A: Surveys estimate as few as one in four or one in five fill them out, and experts say there are many reasons: The idea of dying is an unpleasant one to consider; legal language can scare people off. Living wills also can't anticipate all possible health care complications, and sometimes doctors and caregivers don't follow them, or not quickly enough.

Q: So then what should people do?

A: The best path, say those who work on these issues, is for a person to have a calm, detailed discussion with family members and loved ones about the end of life. That would include

executing a living will and choosing a health care proxy, and could also touch on spiritual issues and messages to survivors, as well as other medical issues like organ donation and 'do not resuscitate' orders.

Q: That sounds complicated. How do I start down that road?

A: Advice can be found from local hospices or aging organizations, or from an attorney who specializes in elder law. Another guide can be found for free online, the "Health Care Advance Planning" tool kit from the American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging.


Next month the May Broadcast will address Strategic and Tactical Integrity.

Jim

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