When Cutting Edge Becomes Cheating

The Houston Astros’ recent cheating scandal has rocked Major League Baseball — costing many their jobs and raising urgent concerns about the integrity of not just the franchise but the sport as a whole.

The Astros under former General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Jeff Luhnow were known as a cutting-edge team that explored several avenues to win at the highest level. But few ever suspected the franchise of outright cheating.

Stealing signs in baseball is as old as the game itself, and every organization wants to gain an edge by knowing whether a fastball is coming or when the pitcher might throw it to first base. But Luhnow and associates stepped outside the ethical boundaries by devising a scheme to use technology to cross lines — leaving fans, players and front offices appalled and deceived. When sleek technology is utilized for manipulation purposes, then it is outright wrong.

Jon Huntsman’s 2005 book, Winners Never Cheat: Everyday Values We Learned as Children (But May Have Forgotten), details the core principles and ethical boundaries of his business. Huntsman wanted the reader to understand his code of conduct for every employee, including himself. When an opportunity arose that might have a team member weighing that thin margin between doing what’s right or what might seem easier, that ethical code was unambiguous.

Here are Huntsman’s 3 principles:

1. Compete fiercely and fairly — but no cutting in line. Everyone must love the competition and embrace the challenge. But there are no different set of rules for anyone. Huntsman had Golden Rules: Proper table manners, respecting others, good sportsmanship, the unwritten codes such as no cutting in line and sharing. All these mindsets allowed him to develop the character of the company. Leaders must always define the character traits of every team member.

2. Set the example — risk, responsibility, reliability. Everyone watches the top. But how the bottom behaves is only reflected in how the top carries itself and conducts business. If you see a piece of paper on the floor, don’t wait for the janitorial staff. Set the example yourself. No one is above anyone when doing the right thing.

3. Revenge is unproductive. Learn to move on. Do not stay stuck looking back. Keep your vision locked in on the present and future. We only hurt ourselves and the growth of the organization when carrying bitterness. Learning from the past is critical, but harboring the past is detrimental.

We can all learn from the Houston Astros. We can reinforce our principles to those we lead each day. Strive to become a team of character. Not a team of characters.

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