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I have spent my career promoting the idea that there is no substitute for an ethical corporate culture to encourage ethical and responsible behavior in a corporation. Put simply, the power of a culture is that it is a shared understanding of “how we do things around here” and what type of behavior is desirable and acceptable. A simple invocation that we “always do the right thing” or “we respect all persons” can be a powerful incentive and reminder to act ethically—in our families, our communities, and our nation. In discussing what each of us can do to lean against the negative impacts of the Trump presidency, one of my colleagues suggested efforts to create a more benevolent and ethical national culture could be our greatest contribution. Reflecting on her comments, I realized this is the kind of grassroots work every one of us can engage in every day. The damage being done to our shared values and national ethical culture since January 20, 2025, is discouraging. Many have commented that Trump’s daily behaviors can do the greatest damage if they are “normalized.” Prominent are his demeaning descriptions of anyone who opposes or disagrees with him. Former President Biden is “a stupid person” and the “worst president ever.” Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney is a “low-IQ war hawk” who should be put in a circle with “nine barrels shooting at her.” Even Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who broke with Trump to support releasing the Epstein files, is now a “traitor.” Any Republican who opposes any of his initiatives is a “Republican in Name Only” and “weak.” Democrats are “Marxists,” “communists,” “vermin,” and “radical lunatics.” The media are “enemies of the people” (a historically loaded term). Immigrants are “rapists” and “animals,” and Somali immigrants are “garbage” who “contribute nothing to society.” Whole nations are demeaned as “shithole countries.” Trump’s disdain for law and our own government institutions is evident in his many statements. Prosecutors are “thugs” and “deranged” and judges are “biased” and “corrupt.” Whole departments of civil servants are “crooked,” “useless,” and “should be fired.” There is a particular hostility to women and people of color who have ascended into senior positions in government and military service, resulting in many being fired or forcibly retired. The influence of the ethical culture Trump is creating is immediately apparent in the comments of his cabinet officers and key appointees who follow his lead. Even in his first term, Ben Carson, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, compared progressive activists to Nazis. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke called environmentalists terrorists. Senior Advisor (now Deputy Chief of Staff) Stephen Miller accused critics of Trump’s immigration policies of being people who “hate American sovereignty” or simply “hate America.” In the second administration, the extreme rhetoric from Cabinet officers is even stronger and now shows up in official government press releases and proclamations. In some cases, statements and actions are clearly racist and misogynist. Okay, we know the problem! What is our response? We build an ethical culture by doing the opposite, even in times of partisanship and policy disagreement. You start at the most local level—in conversations with your neighbors and acquaintances. You listen thoughtfully to their views, even their rants, and ask respectful questions about what informs and motivates their views. You smile and acknowledge the workers you encounter daily—in the coffee house, in the retail store, on the street. You make deliberate efforts to reach out to people of color and those invisible workers we interact with every day. To police officers and members of the military, even to National Guard troops deployed in cities against their will. You create acceptance and security wherever you go, encouraging others to do the same. In family discussions and in community organizations, you show concern and compassion for everyone you meet, even those who feel anxious about immigrants or threatened by changes in the economy or society. You show particular concern for the casualties of economic and policy changes—those who have lost their jobs due to economic transitions, fired federal workers, those who lost their SNAP benefits and low-interest student loans, millions who now may go without health insurance. You show empathy for both the Ukrainians who have suffered so much defending the country and for Russian citizens drawn into the war against their will. For Israelis who lost their lives on October 6 and for the tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank who have died and suffered attacks. You look for ways you personally can help alleviate the poverty and illnesses plaguing the world. You respect those who think differently about being generous to others, but are open about your own support for a generous US government and practice generosity in your own personal philanthropy. Above all, you resist condemnation and demeaning attacks on individuals and groups. You separate yourself from harsh language and disrespectful jokes about those suffering deprivation and hardship. You help others to follow your lead, disassociating yourself publicly from racist or misogynist comments by others. In the words of one of my business school colleagues, you consistently give voice to your own values (see here). In short, you do what you can daily to bring a bit more kindness and civility into the world. Ethical cultures are built both from the top down and the bottom up. It is time to emphasize from the bottom up. The more we exhibit good language and good behaviors, the more discordant the harsh language of our leaders will stand out and make others uncomfortable. That is how an ethical American culture is built-and rebuilt. And this is also a good resolution for the holidays and the New Year. Happy Holidays. Kirk
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