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(Part 4 of My Blog Series): Transform Your Ethics Training: Lessons from Prison on Gratitude, Growth, and Leadership"

Writer: Bill Carlson Bill Carlson
Aug 12, 20244 min read

Introduction


Can life lessons from an unexpected place transform your approach to business ethics training? In my previous posts, we’ve explored how the principles of HOGA—Honesty, Openness, Gratitude, and Awareness—can foster personal growth and ethical excellence. In Part 4 of the series, I'll delve into how these principles, combined with the transformative lessons I learned during incarceration, can be integrated into a holistic approach to business ethics training.


During my time in prison, I developed and taught with a fellow inmate a course called "Bitter or Better...Learning to Be Grateful and Finding Happiness in Prison and Beyond." This course, rooted in the principles of HOGA, not only helped me and others navigate the challenges of incarceration but also serves as a powerful tool for holistic ethics training in the professional world. By weaving these lessons into your ethics training program, you can enhance your organization’s culture, improve leadership, and contribute to the personal well-being of your employees.


1. A Holistic Approach to Business Ethics Training: Lessons from "Bitter or Better"


Traditional business ethics training often focuses on compliance and avoiding misconduct. While necessary, this approach can sometimes feel disconnected from the real-life challenges employees face. A holistic approach, however, goes beyond compliance to cultivate a deep, personal connection to ethical behavior.


In "Bitter or Better," the focus was on helping inmates shift their mindset from bitterness to gratitude, ultimately finding happiness and purpose in a difficult environment. This approach is highly relevant to business ethics training. By encouraging employees to embrace a mindset of growth and gratitude, an organization can foster a culture where ethical behavior becomes a natural extension of personal well-being.


2. HOGA: The Core of Holistic Ethics Training


The principles of HOGA were at the heart of "Bitter or Better" and are equally powerful when applied to business ethics training:


  • Honesty: In the context of incarceration, honesty was about facing the reality of our circumstances and being truthful with ourselves about our actions and their consequences. In business ethics training, honesty is the foundation of trust and transparency. When employees practice honesty, it creates a culture where ethical behavior is expected and supported.

  • Openness: Openness in prison meant being receptive to new ways of thinking and engaging with others who had different perspectives. In the workplace, openness encourages a culture of continuous improvement and ethical innovation. By fostering openness, you can create an environment where employees feel safe to speak up about ethical concerns and explore creative solutions.

  • Gratitude: Gratitude was a key element of surviving and thriving in prison. It shifted our focus from what we had lost to what we still had. In a business setting, gratitude can transform workplace culture by promoting appreciation and recognition. Gratitude reduces stress, boosts morale, and reinforces ethical behavior by encouraging employees to value their work and their colleagues.

  • Awareness: Awareness, particularly self-awareness, was crucial in helping inmates understand their emotions and behaviors. In business ethics, awareness allows employees to recognize ethical dilemmas and consider the broader impact of their decisions. Enhanced awareness leads to more mindful and ethical choices, contributing to a positive work environment.


3. The Link Between Ethics Training and Personal Well-Being


One of the most significant lessons from "Bitter or Better" was the connection between ethical living and personal well-being. The course emphasized that a focus on gratitude, honesty, openness, and awareness not only led to better behavior but also improved mental and emotional health.


This connection is equally important in business ethics training. When employees align their personal values with their professional responsibilities, they experience greater fulfillment and purpose in their work. This alignment reduces stress, increases job satisfaction, and fosters a more positive and ethical workplace culture.


4. Implementing HOGA and "Bitter or Better" in Your Organization


Integrating HOGA and the lessons from "Bitter or Better" into your organization's ethics training program can have a transformative effect on your organization:

  • Workshops and Training Sessions: Incorporate the principles of HOGA into your ethics training by using real-life scenarios from "Bitter or Better." These scenarios can help employees understand the importance of personal growth in ethical decision-making.

  • Leadership Development: Encourage leaders to model HOGA principles and share lessons from "Bitter or Better" to inspire their teams. Leaders who embody these principles set a powerful example of ethical excellence.

  • Employee Recognition: Create programs that recognize employees who exemplify HOGA principles in their work. Acknowledge those who demonstrate growth, gratitude, and integrity, reinforcing the connection between personal well-being and ethical behavior.

  • Mindfulness and Reflection: Integrate mindfulness practices into your training to enhance awareness and self-reflection. Encourage employees to regularly reflect on their decisions and consider how they align with both personal values and organizational ethics.


Conclusion


The integration of HOGA principles and the transformative lessons from "Bitter or Better" into a holistic approach to business ethics training offers a unique and powerful way to enhance both organizational culture and personal well-being. By focusing on individual growth through honesty, openness, gratitude, and awareness, you can foster an environment where ethical excellence thrives.


These principles, developed in a challenging environment, have the power to transform not only individual lives but also the ethical standards of entire organizations. As you implement these ideas, you’ll find that they lead to a more engaged, fulfilled, and ethically responsible workforce—one that carries these lessons into every aspect of their lives.


Stay tuned for Part 5, the final part of this series, to learn about the interconnectedness of personal growth and professional ethics.


Remember, ethics is not just about following rules—it’s about living with integrity and purpose, every day.




 
 
 

Comments

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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