In this episode, we explore the impact of employee character on the ethics of a business. Drawing from the experiences of W. Michael Blumenthal, former Treasury Secretary, we learn that prioritizing intelligence and energy over morality when hiring can lead to significant mistakes. Blumenthal emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who have a clear sense of right and wrong, are willing to be truthful, and have the courage to stand up for their beliefs, even when facing opposition. He admits that he often overlooked these qualities in favor of intelligence and substantive knowledge.
The key takeaway from this discussion is that character should be the top priority when selecting employees. By using the selection ideas and tools discussed in this chapter, businesses can build an organization filled with individuals who possess the strong characteristics emphasized by Blumenthal. Remember, character counts and can greatly influence the ethics of your business.
