Repairing Our Culture Is A Personal Responsibility For Each Of Us

Recovering Civility, Decency, Integrity and Trust are among the greatest cultural challenges we will face as a nation in the coming years. This is a book of strategies and ideas to guide you on that journey. It’s a book about the power of small and large decencies, about having a happier, more successful and satisfying life.

In The Decency Code you will find a fully developed and actionable model for building a decent workplace culture. Anyone invested in building a corporate culture that inspires a sense of purpose, empowers human beings to do their best in any business climate, and inoculates their organizations from ethical failure will be well rewarded by applying the many lessons of this book. Available in hardcover, e-book and audiobook.

I'd be happy to talk to you about the book directly if you have questions or comments.

Jim

James E. Lukaszewski
ABC, Fellow IABC; APR, Fellow PRSA; BEPS Emeritus
America's Crisis Guru®
President
The Lukaszewski Group
| Email: jel@e911.com | Web: www.e911.com |
Cell, 24/7 (text/email/voice mail): 203-948-7029

Book Review:

The Decency Code: The Leader’s Path to Building Integrity and Trust

Reviewed by Kevin Cassidy

Professionalism, courtesy, and decency create an environment that stimulates respect, particularly in these turbulent times. Authors Steve Harrison and James Lukaszewski explain how that works in their book The Decency Code: The Leader’s Path to Building Integrity and Trust.

In the foreword, Ranjit de Sousa writes that The Decency Code is intended to remind us that repetition and recognition of small decencies are two key elements of building resilient corporate cultures. He goes on to say that if organizations focus on the small things every day, over time, behavioral shifts will occur. While this sounds idealistic, it’s not!

The authors discuss how leadership within any organization is required to set the tone of that organization. Organizational changes in today’s corporate world are the norm. The authors effectively explain how management can navigate periods of upsizing, downsizing, rightsizing, and capsizing and what type of impact their actions will have on the corporate culture. Although the book discusses how organizations can model leadership grounded in decency and provides tools to help integrate a culture of decency into any organization, it does not sufficiently provide examples to support these strategies for employees.

The book provides examples of organizations that failed employees and customers by discarding decency and ethics. Two examples are Volkswagen (caught cheating on emissions tests) and Wells Fargo (whose employees opened accounts without customers’ knowledge). It also points to companies such as The Principal Financial Group and Baxter International for exemplifying strong leadership, social responsibility, and sustainability.

In Chapter 7, “Employee Engagement in Action,” the book examines data from Gallup’s 2017 State of the Global Workplace Report, which paints a bleak picture of corporate cultures. This chapter reinforces the concept that employee engagement matters.

“The Decency Code is written for a new generation of leaders who are looking for inspiration and tools to create workplaces where honesty, civility, and ethical behavior are the norm rather than the exception,” says the cover. Business and industry professionals will find this book an interesting read and moral compass.

Reviewer: Kevin Cassidy is an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He is a member of ASIS.

Joe Murphy, CCEP, Senior Advisor, Compliance Strategists:
“Why read this book about decency? While there are many big social issues in the world, every day we deal with others and have a chance to practice decency. Will this change the corporate world? It could help. But it can change you and help the people you deal with. And maybe, if we take this seriously, it can make a deep difference.”

Marshall Goldsmith, #1 Leadership Thinker, Executive Coach, NYT Bestselling Author, California:
“The Decency Code” is an important book with a vital and timely message to leaders at all levels. Reading this book is an investment in building productive and engaged workplaces.”

Ranjit de Sousa, President, Lee Hecht Harrison, Zurich, Switzerland:
“In The Decency Code, you will find a fully developed and actionable model for building a decent workplace culture. Anyone invested in building a corporate culture that inspires a sense of purpose, empowers human beings to do their best in any business climate, and inoculates their organizations from ethical failure will be well rewarded by applying the many lessons of this book. In their encouragement, humor, and compassion, Jim and Steve are committed to your success.”

Sandy Dean, Chairman, Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC, Mendocino, California:
“For more than 20 years, Jim Lukaszewski has been my single most trusted advisor and mentor for all matters of ethical corporate conduct and relentlessly positive communication. Jim and Steve share their secrets of wisdom in this outstanding manual of how to build the most decent of companies in today’s challenging environment.”

Helio Fred Garcia, President, Logos Consulting, New York City:
“The Decency Code is a much-needed antidote to the prevailing incivility we see in both the workplace and the nation. Harrison and Lukaszewski plot a practical approach to regain civility, integrity, and empathy in our relations with others. This is a must-read for leaders, investors, employees, and engaged citizens generally.”

Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive:
“If ever there was a time to zero in on decency and integrity in business, Jim Lukaszewskiand Steve Harrison have chosen the prime moment. “The Decency Code: The Leader’s Path to Building Integrity and Trust” is a goldmine of advice and methods for everyone from the C-Suite to managers – and everyone who reports to them – to establish the kind of company people want to work for and customers want to patronize. Don’t just add this book to your “to-read” stack; memorize their wisdom and put it into practice today!”