About 30 years ago, I had a most interesting conversation with a gentleman from France. He was an executive for one of the computer companies in our area. We were very open with each other and could speak our minds. At one point, in our lively discussion of many topics, he shared a comment that has been etched in my mind since that day.
You have the best form of government on the face of the earth. Because of this, you believe you are the best people on the face of the earth. You exude an air of confidence that all nations envy. However, it is a false confidence because as a nation you lack character. A democracy does not guarantee good character," he said.
Naturally I was a bit defensive and asked what he meant by character. He said, "Character is moral vigor and firmness as in self-discipline." I have learned that when a person offers sincere and helpful criticism, it is prudent to listen. He who does not listen to negative feedback is a fool.
Through the years I have applied his observation. It has merit. So here we go again.
Another high profile personality is being judged not on the basis of competence but character. Roger Clemens has been singled out for his inability to tell the difference between fact and fiction. The courts call it perjury. Most people call it lying. I think he knows the difference.
Tiger Woods is having difficulty making par. He is the most competent golfer ever seen. We now realize he is not what he pretended to be. He realizes the flaw in his character and it hurts. Somehow he has lost his sense of timing.
Will Roger Clemens make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame? Will Tiger Woods be proclaimed the greatest golfer ever? It depends on whether the judges are looking for competence or character and competence. What are the American values? What counts?
Isn't it interesting the graduate schools of business are now teaching a new field of study - ethics in the work place? Guest lecturers make appearances on the topics; how to be honest, how to treat employees, and greed is not good. What wonderful gems of enlightenment.
We have very competent lawyers whose main legal expertise is to find loopholes in the law. They make recommendations to the corporation on how to make millions and stay within the law. Do they get paid by the billable hours or commission on the profits? Some may get both. Where are they on the character yardstick?
Every day we hear about people receiving paychecks for the rest of their lives because some doctor said "Sammy the Scam Artist" is no longer capable of doing an honest day's work. Within a month he has miraculously, through the benefit of prayer, become healed. The stiff next door goes to work while the scam artist plays or works another job. Nah, it can't happen in this country.
It seems for some there is a new morality and a source of income. The ones who are the most successful usually follow four basic steps:
Keep doing what is not right until you get caught
If you get caught, get as much publicity as you can. Throw in a lot of legal arguments.
After suitable recognition, apologize. Present a well-crafted statement. You can get people who will construct one for you if you don't know how. All will be forgiven.
Write a book, make a movie or go on a tour. There are thousands of people who will pay millions to find out what really happened. They never do find out. Most of the authors lacked character to begin with.
Unfortunately for Clemens and Woods, they failed to learn that competence and character are two essential ingredients in becoming an all-around hero and role model. In the parade of life, character is worth more than competence. Tiger Woods is a most competent golfer. Mickey Mantle could really whack a baseball and run like a deer. However, using character and competence as the main criteria Hank Aaron gets my vote for baseball and Jack Nicklaus for golf.
If we were to run a survey and ask how do we compare with other nations of the world when it comes to character, where would we place? What is on the list of virtues that makes character?
Ken Seifert is a 40-year resident of Andover and former superintendent of the Andover schools.
