HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS

EXHIBIT 1 HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?

A popular story recounts a meeting that may have taken place at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago in 1923. There is some debate whether the meeting in fact occurred, but what is not in question is the actual rise and fall of the men featured in the story, who were nine of the richest men in the world at the time: (1) Charles Schwab, President of the world's largest independent steel company; (2) Samuel Insull, President of the world's largest utility company; (3) Howard Hopson, President of the largest gas firm; (4) Arthur Cutten, the greatest wheat speculator; (5) Richard Whitney, President of the New York Stock Exchange; (6) Albert Fall, member of the President's Cabinet; (7) Leon Frazier, President of the Bank of International Settlements; (8) Jessie Livermore, the greatest speculator in the Stock Market; and (9) Ivar Kreuger, head of the company with the most widely distributed securities in the world.

Twenty-five years later, (1) Charles Schwab had died in bankruptcy, having lived on borrowed money for five years before his death. (2) Samuel Insull had died virtually penniless after spending some time as a fugitive from justice. (3) Howard Hopson was insane. (4) Arthur Cutten died overseas, broke. (5) Richard Whitney had spent time in Sing-Sing. (6) Albert Fall was released from prison so he could die at home. (7) Leon Fraizer, (8) Jessie Livermore, and (9) Ivar Kreuger each died by suicide. Measured by wealth and power these men achieved success, at least temporarily. Making a lot of money may be an acceptable goal, but money most assuredly does not guarantee a truly successful life.

Many people think of fame and fortune when they measure success. However, at some point in life, most people come to realize that inner peace and soul-deep satisfaction come not from fame and fortune, but having lived a life based on integrity and noble character. President Lincoln put it this way: “Honor is better than honors.” At a Congressional Hearing on ethics in July 2002, Truett Cathy, founder of Chik-Fil-A, quoted Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." In the final analysis, living an honorable life really is more satisfying than fame and fortune. How do you measure success?

A 1990 article in the Wall Street Journal reported the results of a Gallup Poll that found 84 percent of public school parents want moral values taught in school and 68 percent want educators to develop strict standards of "right and wrong." As a result of parental pressure, some state legislatures and education departments are urging public schools to teach students values such as honesty, respect, and patriotism. Hundreds of business firms, such as Digital Equipment Corp. of Maynard, Massachusetts and Glendale Federal Bank of Glendale, California, have provided millions of dollars for such programs.⁷
A 1987 survey of corporate executives administered by Touche Ross revealed that two thirds believed that high ethical standards improve a firm's competitive position but felt that "increased concentration on short-term earnings" and "decay in cultural and social institutions" are major threats to business ethics.⁸ Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy of the Virginia Supreme Court, in a commencement speech to graduates of the University of Texas Law School, said that legality is the minimum standard of action to follow, that a person's standard of action should be based on what is right and not merely what is technically legal.⁹
The battle to maintain a high level of accounting and business ethics is effectively a battle for freedom. As Solzhenitsyn, Colson, and many others have concluded, additional rules and regulations of government will be never preserve a free society whose people lack integrity. Ethics is the heart of America's economic freedom. Unethical behavior is a dagger in the heart.
 
CAN ONE PERSON MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

A Japanese proverb states: "The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour." The actions of just one person have even changed the course of a nation. Edward Everett Hale wrote:
 

I am only one.

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Never underestimate the power of one person to make a difference. Long ago a woman named Esther saved the Jews from holocaust. She was the wife of a Persian king. The king was about to be tricked into a decision that would lead to the extermination of the Jews. Esther's predicament was that if she tried to save the Jewish nation, she would have to risk her life. Her adoptive father gave her this message: "For if you remain silent...your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."
 She chose to risk her life. By doing so, one person helped save an entire nation. 
If you occupy a position of leadership then your actions profoundly influence those who follow your example. Considering the many qualities that are necessary for successful leadership, Desert storm hero General H. Norman Schwarzkopf said: "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy."