Ideas for Change : Preachers and Practioners ?

Ideas for Change:  the NDTV Profit program (Telecast on Dec 6) with corporate honchos  anchored  by Shivnath Thukral and Omkar Goswamy  was  better than  (only slightly)  many other run-of- the-mill  After- Terror-what- next programs. There were many refreshing and insightful views from the Coated and booted CEOs...  Then there were some views which had the   Simi Garewal touch & class.  

One point that stuck to my mind was made by Kishor Biyani of Future Group.   He was ardently talking about   "Principle Centered Leadership” and “Paradigm Change".  And then he spoilt his  case  by  "being honest"  about  the Speed Money  his company was "compelled" to pay as Bribe  for the 28 odd licenses  each one of  his outlets supposed to get from Govt./civic bodies.  He sounded so helpless about the "Speed Money", as if his company did not have a Choice. Absolutely no space between the stimulus (of “Speed money" seeking) and the Response (of speed money giving).    

  What would have happened, had his group followed an "Anti Bribe policy".   In the short run, the time taken by his group to establish shops   would have increased, there by decreasing his profit margin for the calendar year. At the same time, would not it have strengthened the moral fibre of  his organization.

 Note, he is not a budding entrepreneur whose very survival is at stake. He is someone who has done pretty well in life.  Someone who has built a Retail empire in no time. Someone who competes with the mighty Reliance in Retail space. 

 I am not viewing with the "holier than thou” lens.  I understand there are lots of things out there in the Grey... (Not in black and white...)... 

The choices for a business house (according to me)   are:

   Either do the Business, the way it is done now... Pay the “Speed Money"...   Boast about the reduction in cycle time for opening new outlets, Talk about Economies of scale, Operating efficiency and Return to the stake holders, (but avoid talking about Principle centered leadership and Paradigm Change) 

Or stand up to the system, make the initial sacrifice and then Preach to others. 

One is not expected to do both at the same time. They are absolutely mutually exclusive. 

Every Change that we wish to see outside there should start from within. 

We need to Practice, before we Preach.