En Garde!  Gabriella and I challenge you to a duel, between doing what’s right or doing it wrong AGAIN! 

Isn’t NOT doing your best, kind of like cheating, or worst yet a malicious form of thievery?   It should be a crime.  It is the most prevalent form of depraved indifference, which robs one of their ethical code. 

Ask yourself...

✓     Do you perform well, because it’s the right thing to do, because someone is watching over your shoulder or because you have to? 

✓     Do you secretly cheat the customer and your employer because they don’t see you doing something wrong, when you know it is? 

✓     Do you say or think, “what they don’t know, won’t hurt them?”

✓     Do you set a good example?

✓     Do you consistently lie?

✓     Do you possess an ethical code?

“Either you are an ethical person or you’re not.”

This was the first response to Aine Donovan’s eloquent blog ‘Can Ethics Classes Cure Cheating?’  Are we born with ethics, or do we acquire them, while tip-toeing down and around the land-mines of life?  Rafe Esquith, a dedicated and inspiring, fifth-grade teacher at Los Angeles’ Hobart Boulevard Elementary School, believes it can be taught to those who wish to learn and practice an ethical code of life.  Culling from 30 years of teaching, parenting and management practice, Esquith has masterfully poured his experience and wisdom into a book entitled, ‘Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire’.

You’ve heard the saying, “explain it to me like I’m 5 years old?”  Well Esquith has made it into an art form.  He guides, teaches and imbibes 10 year olds in mounting the saddle of their very own moral behavior and the value derived from it.  Together with psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, Esquith mapped out a simple six level formula from which devotees anchor themselves to this life changing philosophy:

Level 1: “I don’t want to get into trouble.” 

Level 2: “I want a reward” 

Level 3: “I want to please someone”

Level 4: “I follow the rules”

Level 5: “I am considerate of other people” 

Level 6: “I have a personal code of behavior and I follow it”

A few of his students don’t always reach level 6 - also known as the “Atticus Finch Moral Compass” but the majority of them do make it to level 5.  Mostly because Esquith staunchly refrains from doling out incentives to students on whatever level.

He uses no punishment, shame or “stick” tactics, associated with (level 1) and enticements (level 2) reward system.  He openly discourages students from doing their work only to please someone else (parents or managers).  Instead he teaches you to do what’s right for your OWN ethical code.  Esquith inspires them to “think”, to question what rules are for and what is benefited by attaining level 5 status.  He nudges them as to why it’s essential to be considerate and when bumping up against a moral dilemma, to ask themselves “What would Atticus do?”  (also refer to our January 14th 2010 posting of “Do not hustle the lobsters” vs “The Atticus Finch code of work ethics” for food servers.)   

He consistently churns out waves of well-behaved, magnanimous, top performers.   If a fifth grader can achieve an ethical code, then why can’t adults?  And especially those within our food industry.

So the next time you shove a glass into an ice well, knowing full well how dangerous it can be (broken glass) ... think again!  When you deliberately wrap dirty cutlery or leave unfinished work for the next shift... think! “What would Atticus do?”  Fight the urge in knowingly doing “it” wrong instead of right! 

Do what’s right.  Do it for yourself FIRST!

Special Feature ~ Matt Clark, 'The Produce Chef'

Containing almost 200 pages, the recipes range from mouth-watering desserts to creative canapés; from stunning entrees to refreshing beverages with everything in between including sauces and marinades and even an inclusion of an innovative BBQ section. You will even find an abundance of information to describe all of those intriguing ingredients that you have always questioned.

This book is a must for anyone that has that little itch to try something new and exciting.  'The Produce Chef ' is the perfect book to bring something different to the dinner table or even to those social occasions with family and friends.

We welcome your comments.

Thanking you & always grateful,

Pen & Gaby

(c) 2010 ptsaldari.posterous.com : PTsaldari Group Inc. | The Art of Serving Well | Serve Me Well Inc. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared on ptsaldari.posterous.com blog authored by PTsaldari.  This article may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it. Email: ptsaldari@gmail.com