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Bill's Story

Bill Carlson's journey embodies the intricate dance between success and downfall, materialism and redemption. From the peaks of the securities industry to the depths of federal prison, his story is a testament to the consequences of unethical behavior and the power of introspection.
 
During his incarceration, Bill faced a pivotal question from his daughter, "Dad, what were you thinking?" forcing him into a profound period of self-reflection. Through this introspection and extensive research, he not only came to terms with his actions but sought to understand their underlying motivations. In doing so, he recognized the futility of chasing ephemeral desires, likening it to chasing butterflies.
 
In collaboration with another inmate, Bill crafted a course titled "Bitter or Better…Learning to Be Grateful and Finding Happiness in Prison and Beyond," reflecting his journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. Bill and the other inmate taught this 8-week course to other inmates that too were interested with improving themselves and becoming better versions of themselves. 
 
Today, combined with his lived experiences and  years of research, Bill shares with audiences what he has learned, emphasizing that setbacks need not define us. Instead, they can serve as catalysts for transformation and self-improvement. Through his work, Bill urges others to abandon the pursuit of fleeting pleasures and focus on deeper fulfillment, echoing the sentiment to stop chasing butterflies. His story resonates as a beacon of resilience and renewal, inspiring others to embrace introspection and pursue a more meaningful existence. Most importantly, Bill inspires others to stop chasing butterflies and to embrace their journey and to find their wings. 

Keynote Address, Clemson's Rutland Inst. for Ethics
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What the Professionals Are Saying 

"I teach a course on negotiations, during which I spend a good deal of time talking about honesty and ethics in negotiations. As an ethics researcher, I think it is important that students not only understand strategies for successfully claiming value in negotiations, but also learn about the temptations they will face to engage in unethical bargaining, and unethical behavior more broadly in their professional careers. Bill brought this message to life. Bill explained to my students – with openness, authenticity, and scientific insight – the ethical missteps he took in his career. I am incredibly grateful to have had Bill in my class – I learned from him just as much as my students did. I think he would be a welcome, and much needed, addition to any course related to ethics, well-being, power and influence, or negotiations (and likely many more!)."   

                                                                        Professor Emma Levine/ University of Chicago Booth School of Business 

“Bill Carlson has a reservoir of experience that will resonate with college students and professionals from all walks of life. Seldom do you encounter an individual willing to openly share his foibles and mistakes in an attempt to deviate the life paths of those mutually-inclined to make the same errors. Bill lays his life bare in his presentation and shares the detrimental impact his decision-making had on his personal and professional life; yet he lays the foundation for an inroad to a better future built upon his gratitude for life, learning from his mistakes, and pursuit of his new definition of “life wholeness”.  

                                                                         Dr. William C. McCoy, Director/Rutland Institute for Ethics

                                                                         Visiting Professor, College of Education/Clemson University 

"For over 30 years, I have been teaching full- and part-time. For the past eleven years I have been a member of the accounting faculty at Fordham University. This semester, Fall 2021, Mr. Carlson agreed to speak with my students about his story, and I can say that I have had few guest speakers who delivered such a powerful message about the importance of professional obligations. It was the story of a seemingly nice guy who exhibited a lack of judgment and would pay a heavy price for it. Most importantly, it is a story of a man who reflected upon his moral lapse and has made a solid commitment to helping others."              

                                                                                       Timothy P. Hedley, Ph.D., CPA, CFF, CFE

                                                                            Retired Global Leader of Fraud Risk Management Services, KPMG LLP

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