新世纪大学英语综合教程2课文5.doc

Why Character Counts
 Stephen R. Covey 
Some time ago I was asked to consult for a bank that was having a problem with employee morale. "I don't know what's wrong," complained their young president sadly. Bright and attractively capable, he'd risen through the ranks only to see his institution faltering. Productivity and profits were down. He blamed his employees. "No matter what incentives I provide," he said, "they won't shake off this gloom and doom."
He was right. The atmosphere seemed poisonedwith suspicion and lack of trust. For two months I ran workshops, but nothing helped. I was stumped.
Finally, in more casualconversations, the truth emerged. The boss, who was married, was having an affair with an employee. And everyone knew it.
It wasobvious now that pany's poor performance was caused by his conduct. But the greatest damage this man was doing was to himself. He was thinking only of his own pleasure and satisfaction disregarding long-term consequences. Moreover, he had 
violated a sacredtrust with his wife.
In a word, his failing was one of character.
What Really Matters
Character is made up of those principles and values that give your life direction, meaning and depth. These constitute your inner sense of what's right and wrong based not on laws or rules of conduct but on who you are.
They include such traits as integrity, honesty, courage, fairness and ge