When Ethics goes beyond academics

From the Ethics course of professor George Siedel I found this very interesting story:

This tale isn't just a figment of imagination; it echoes a real-world scenario involving Qualcomm. In the heat of negotiations, a fateful fax divulging sensitive strategy accidentally found its way into Qualcomm's hands. The reaction was unexpected – rather than exploiting the advantage, Qualcomm's general counsel rushed to the CEO, Irwin Jacobs, with the document in hand. However, Jacobs' response wasn't what was anticipated; he questioned its intended recipient and promptly ordered its return. The general counsel left the encounter humbled but with a newfound admiration for Jacobs' unwavering ethics. Such integrity is rare in today's cutthroat business world, yet it's the cornerstone upon which reputations are built and sustained.

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 29 Feb 2024