Ethics 101

In this summary you will learn

• How to develop simple but applicable ethical standards
• What challenges keep many people from acting ethically
• How to meet those challenges
• Why it is better to act ethically than unethically

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Why you should read Ethics 101

Author John C. Maxwell has spent years thinking about leadership and ethical action, and it shows. In this short volume, he condenses his years of reflection into clear, accessible principles that any reader can immediately apply. He supports his points with anecdotes, and with quotes from sacred texts and authors from a variety of cultures. His clarity makes his work bold. There’s no way you could mistake what he’s saying, and that’s refreshing, especially given contemporary concerns about corporate governance. While the simplicity and brevity of the book makes it broadly accessible, getAbstract.com especially recommends it to two readerships: those already dedicated to living ethically, who are looking for tools to apply, and those who are skeptical about the utility of ethics. The book (which was previously published as There’s No Such Thing as "Business" Ethics) has only two real weaknesses. The first is that Maxwell’s definition of an ethical dilemma is far too simple, and he treats it too briefly. (What do we do when love and duty clash? What do we do when directly ordered to do something unethical by a superior, who thinks the action is correct - and someone else depends upon our income?) The second is that Maxwell discusses how to treat others as if we were all the same deep down. Perhaps we are - but he doesn’t fully address the many personal and cultural differences that one must negotiate along the way. getAbstract.com’s moral dilemma: is it right to dwell on such relatively minor flaws in a book we basically respect, agree with, appreciate and recommend warmly? You be the judge.

About the Author

John C. Maxwell, called America’s expert on leadership, is a New York Times bestselling author who has sold more than 10 million books. He communicates frequently to Fortune 500 companies and organizations such as the US Military Academy at West Point, NCAA, and NFL. Maxwell is the founder of The Maximum Impact Group, INJOY Stewardship Services and EQUIP.