Bet on children to slay the dragon of corruption

Joel Macharia does not stand out in a crowd, first because of his quiet demeanour and more because he avoids public attention. Even in events that he or his organisation hosts, it is unlikely that you will notice him or hear his voice.

However, he has a powerful story. Brought up by a single mother, he and his four brothers experienced hardship. Their mother, even though she was materially poor, was generous to a fault.

So much so that Joel and his brothers, fearful that they would run out of resources, would vigilantly stand guard at their gate to ward off neighbours who desired to borrow salt, sugar or other necessities from their mother.

That did not stop their mother from liberally giving whoever came to her door whatever she could. Yet for all her generosity, Joel’s mother meticulously accounted for every shilling that passed through her hands and required her sons to do the same.

Now Joel, as country director of Compassion International and recent winner of the 2014 ELNET Ethical Leadership Award, has taken after his mother.

He is generous and keeps track of every shilling he earns. Because of the way he was brought up, he does not see such accounting for his own money as some tedious task but as a way of life.

As a result, Joel gives no space for unethical dealings. He believes in delayed gratification, in saving to buy consumables and only borrowing to buy assets that appreciate in value.

The generosity Joel learned at home frees him from greed and slavery to money while the discipline of accounting ensures that he gets the maximum possible value from his resources.

Joel is organised and has set his family on the path of financial freedom. The seeds planted in him as a child have borne much good fruit.

Corruption has lately become a part of every leadership conversation in Kenya. From the way in which it is perpetrated to the means by which it appears to permeate every sector/level of government and to the manner in which those who benefit from corrupt practices shamelessly flaunt ill-gotten wealth.

This dragon has left innocent families, communities and parts of the public sector in a shambles. By appearing to be invincible, it has instilled fear into the population, discouraging any attempts to confront and slay this demon.

As it keeps citizens busy slashing away at its increasing number of tentacles, it continues to grow.

While publicly fighting against graft has its place, Leaders of Family Business should recognise that the pervasiveness of corruption is rooted in society’s lack of a moral foundation and a positive value system.

As others rant and rave about corruption and evil practices in the private and public sectors, Leaders of Family Business ought to concern themselves with the values they instill in children during their formative years when they serve as their role models.

While there is no guarantee that the children will fashion their lives around these values, doing so increases the chances of the children assimilating these values and of them succeeding in adult life.

Instead of lamenting about corruption in the world of business, Leaders of Family Business should do everything they can to model good values to their children and those in the family business over whom they have influence.

Meaningful legacies

Leaders of Family Business should also accept the reality that even those children before whom they tirelessly model good ethical leadership have the ability to choose alternative, corrupt lifestyles in spite of their excellent upbringing.

Even though they may make mistakes, those who, following their parents example of ethical behaviour, carry themselves blamelessly in their formative and adult lives are bound to experience sustainable success, be well respected in their fields of operation and to leave meaningful legacies that are untainted.

Mutua is a Humphrey Fellow and a leadership development consultant focused on family businesses. His email address is [email protected].