In his book, “Crisis of Character,”[1] author Peter Firestein alerts us to the fact that in the internet age, there is no place for a corporation, or an individual to hide. In today’s world, corporations and individuals do not, and never will again, exist in a social vacuum, or any kind of vacuum for that matter.
Hence, reputation and character are assets requiring effective management and, as Firestein contends, are more critical now than ever before. Today’s world requires candor and transparency. The FP is ever more the hero to their clients, because they have to guide their Gyroscope through a sea/storm of deception, betrayal, and accountability on a daily basis.
This means that in today’s business world, effective grooming and maintenance of character and reputation yields not only moral rewards, but can produce higher, more consistent dividends and compensation.
[1] “Crisis of Character, Building Corporate Reputation in the Age of Skepticism”, Peter Firestein, Union Square Press, November 2009