Ethics Conference 2010

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Positive values that create vitality to sustain
G. , John Bermel
Every organization, to matter what its nature, whether it is an educational organization, government organization, private enterprise, local club, or family, forms in order to affect its area of influence in some meaningful way (Wicks, 1998, p. 1). Organizations, governments, and institutions do not form to fail; they form to succeed and have an impact. What is it about some organizations that that allow them to sustain a high level of sustainability while others flounder? Take for example banking in the United States, 255 banks have failed nation-wide since 2008. (Wall Street Journal, 2010) In the same time, 251 banks have started up and by all accounts are thriving. (Harrison, 2009) So what makes the difference between failing banks and thriving banks? What makes the difference between a failing university and a thriving university? What makes the difference between a failing government and a thriving government? Hosts of factors affect how well an organization succeeds and thrives. One of those factors, the focus of this paper, is values. Sustainability requires vitality and growth. What is it about positive values that draw people to leaders and influencers, creating vitality to move forward?