INTENTIONAL INTEGRITY

Airbnb chief ethics officer Chesnut debuts with an upbeat book on how to chart a “proactive, ethical course” for business.

The author, a former federal prosecutor, writes, “we are all capable of dishonesty,” recounting workplace ethical issues that have rocked Enron, Volkswagen, and other corporations; headline-making cases of sexual harassment and assault; and everyday instances of bribery, fraud, and conflicts of interest. Yet, he writes, “most companies don’t talk much about integrity.” Many simply distribute a code of ethics template emblazoned with a corporate logo. With little reason to fear consequences, individuals believe they can “get away” with unethical acts, and “even small acts of fraud and deceit, doing work while intoxicated, fudging numbers, violating domestic or international regulations, become compounded over time.” Each poor choice makes the next “easier to make.” In this exhaustive overview, Chesnut argues persuasively that every organization needs a “deliberate, intentional commitment” to ethical rules based on its clearly stated purpose and values. The rules must be widely and constantly disseminated so that they become a company “norm.” The process will generate “business success and positive social value,” helping firms attract the best employees and avoid scandals. Drawing on considerable experience with the nuances and circumstances of integrity violations at Airbnb and, earlier, eBay, Chesnut offers plentiful examples of common integrity issues—e.g., romantic entanglements, selling customer data, social media issues—tips on how to handle them, and ways to create a safe process for reporting lapses. He is especially good on such matters as enforcing consequences and handling situations involving violators who are high-performing employees. The author’s enthusiasm sometimes leads him astray—his anticipated “contagion of integrity” in business seems unlikely—but his rigorous guidelines for lawful behavior should keep employees on their toes and limit federal liabilities. Appendices cover diverse ethical crises.

Valuable reading for companies that want to get serious about workplace ethics.