Kathleen Edmond, Best Buy's Chief Ethics Officer

Several weeks back, I provided an example of “the good stuff” we often hear from Best Buy’s employees and customers. The vast majority of the time, our people get it right and behave ethically but my blog tends to focus on the negative exceptions. I assure you I am not a nattering nabob of negativism as William Safire might say. It’s simply that this blog is intended to offer effective teaching examples and evoke conversation. More often than not, mistakes provide the most compelling case studies.

 I really am a glass-half-full kind of person, however, and have another upbeat example to prove it. This is an actual submission to our www.BestBuyEthics.com website. I merely changed the supervisor’s name to prevent any potential embarrassment to the former leadership team:

 “As of the past month or two, my supervisor ‘Wendy’ has really stepped up and done a lot for our store. With problems occurring in the store with our old GM and not having one for the past month or so, Wendy has done a lot. She works long hours and makes sure everyone is happy and always steps in when someone is needing help. She makes work fun while we still do our best. She is always there when I need help myself, or just someone to talk to. I appreciate all the work she has done and look up to her. She does a great job with our store and is always in a good mood, even with all the stress she has been under lately. I thank her for everything she has done. She has changed my mind on how I think about the company. I disliked working here my first 6-8 months at the store because of my old GM, but Wendy showed me I can still have fun while doing my best and that I shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions or for help. I appreciate everything she has done and now look forward to coming to work every day.”

 1)    The employee notes how his opinion of Best Buy changed from generally negative (while working under the “old GM”) to generally positive (since Wendy arrived). Whether in school, on a sports team or in the workplace, has a leadership change ever had a similar polarizing impact on your point of view?

 2)    If you had to guess, do you think this employee’s ethical make-up is stronger, weaker or no different since Wendy arrived? Why?

 3)    In the paragraph above, the employee specifies several things that make Wendy a great leader:

1. a.    Hard working
2. b.    Steps in when others need help or counsel
3. c.    Makes the work fun
4. d.    Maintains a positive mood/attitude
5. e.    Encourages others to ask questions

Think about your own workplace experience. Would you be more likely to behave in an ethical manner if you were surrounded by people with these attributes? Why or why not?