The Ethical Coach: Developing Honor and Integrity.
Many people today are concerned – and becoming increasingly concerned – with the lack of ethics in our society today. In leadership roles it particular it seems that other factors often take precedence over this issue. One of the people who has his own opinion about the decline of ethics, especially in American society, is the author of this book, Dwight Johnson.
Mr Johnson has found a novel way to explain to us all why ethics matter and gives us a perfect example of how solving this issue can be approached. The bulk of the book is made up of a fiction story about a university sports coach.
The Author, Dwight Johnson
In this parable, the coach discovers that a popular and successful member of the volleyball team, Steve, has failed a drugs test. In order to improve his performance during the game, he has resorted to these drugs. This throws the coach into a whirlwind of confusion and concern – how should he deal with this?
He knows that because of Steve’s popularity and his excellence at the sport, this revelation will have a negative effect on the team. The coach realises that it will impact the whole department – indeed, it can have an effect on the university as a whole. And what about Steve himself and his future?
He realises that this is a situation that is going to need careful handling. Certainly he knows what the official procedure is but is that right? Is it the ethical solution? Does it go far enough? For a couple of days, the coach can’t eat properly, can’t sleep well and can’t concentrate on anything other than his problem.
Then the strange dreams begin
You’ll remember the story of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. In this classic story, the villain of the pioece. Ebenezer Scrooge is visiting by three ghosts, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. These dreams – or visions depending on your interpretation – change his attitude and make him into a better human being.
The coach is surprised to discover that he too is visited in his dreams by not three but five ghosts, all of whom have aspects of solutions to his problem. Needless to say, these are easy to dismiss at first but before long the coach realises their value. Can they really help him solve his problem with Steve and its ramifications?
This is an entertaining book but nevertheless it demonstrates in a highly effective way methods in which an ethical lifestyle and approach can make a true difference in the world. As the author says:
‘Ethics is more than a word – it is a culture and a lifestyle’.
Book Description for The Ethical Coach Leader:
Ethics are a growing concern in all sectors of American culture. From businesses to all levels of schooling, as well as nonprofit companies, the values that guide business and teaching criteria are under scrutiny. But, does it take a scholarly textbook to understand how to create an ethical culture? No, Dwight Johnson has delved into the problems and presents practical solutions in his easy to read book, The Ethical Coach Leader: Developing Honor and Integrity.
A fiction book that has universal application, Johnson creates an intriguing story about a college coach who finds out that his star athlete failed a steroid test, putting the coach in the cross hairs of an ethical dilemma. During a couple of restless nights of sleep, Coach is visited by five ghosts: the Ghost of Example, the Ghost of Education, the Ghost of Experience, the Ghost of E-information, and the Ghost of Environment. Each has different advice for Coach on how to resolve his ethical dilemma. With the dreams haunting his every waking moment, Coach also seeks advice from two of his former mentors. The lessons Coach learns can be applied to any industry, business, school or individual life.
The Ethical Coach Leader challenges cultural mindsets and introduces new ideas on how to apply desperately needed teachings in ethics, integrity, honor and good character. This is a must read book for anyone who has influence on others or is in a leadership role.
Book trailer:
Author’s Bio:
Dwight Johnson resides in Colorado Springs where he works at the United States Air Force Academy. He is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel who was a Squadron Commander three times and a Division Chief twice. He also served as the Department Head of Services at the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he taught Customer Service and Total Quality Service.
You can find out more and order the book at Amazon.
