By Linda Fisher Thornton
We are beginning to “get the picture” globally that ethical responsibility includes much more than meeting minimum standards and avoiding fines and penalties. These quotes from recent global surveys reflect the current sentiment about what it means to take responsibility in a global society:
1. Do More Than Meet the Minimum Standards
“91% of global consumers believe that companies must go beyond the minimum standards required by law to operate responsibly.”
Cone Communications/Echo Global CSR Study, May 2013
2. Use the Highest Integrity and Engage Employees
“Underperforming on high priorities: Engagement and Integrity, Business Importance versus Business Performance in 16 Trust Drivers – Global.”
Edelman Trust Barmometer 2014 Annual Global Study
3. Increase Profits and Improve Economic and Social Conditions
“84% believe a company can take specific actions that both increase profits and improve the economic and social conditions in the communities where it operates.”
Edelman Trust Barometer 2014 Annual Global Study
4. Take Care of the Planet and Society
“In a global survey of 30,000 consumers, 72% of people said that business is failing to take care of the planet and society as a whole.”
Accenture and Havas Media quoted in Trendwatching.com report Brand Sacrifice, October 2014
These surveys reflect increasing expectations for business leaders – the expectations that we take responsibility well beyond managing our own Profits, to also improve life for People, support the success of Communities and protect the Planet. Profits and Corporate Social Responsibility are no longer seen as mutually exclusive ideals.
Related Stories:
What is Integrity? Beyond “I’ll Know it When I See It”
Full Accountability For Ethics – The New Normal
For more, see new book 7 Lenses and the 21 Question Assessment: How Current is My Message About Ethics?
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Leading in Context 
Thank you Scott. “Yearn for” is a great way to describe it. More and more consumers, employees and other stakeholders will stand for nothing less.
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Excellent. This global perspective of “ethics in context” underscores the management, leadership and organizational behavioral values that we all yearn for.
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