To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose

Under what conditions will people tell the truth, behave fairly and act with purpose at work? And when will they lie, cheat and be selfish?

Based on 15 years of research, To Be Honest explains how four factors (Clear Identity, Accountability, Governance and Cross-Functional Relationships) affect honesty, justice and purpose within a company. When these factors are absent or ineffective, the organizational conditions compel employees to choose dishonesty and self-interest. But when done well, the organization is 16 times more likely to have people tell the truth, behave fairly and serve a greater good.

To Be Honest shares the stories of leaders who have acted with purpose, honesty and justice even when it was difficult to do so. In-depth interviews with CEOs and senior executives from exemplar companies such as Patagonia, Cabot Creamery, Microsoft and others reveal what it takes to build purpose-driven companies of honesty and justice. Interviews with thought leaders like Jonathan Haidt, Amy Edmondson, Dan Ariely and James Detert offer rich insights on how leaders can become more honest and purposeful. You'll learn how Hubert Joly took Best Buy from a company on the brink of bankruptcy to one that is profitable, thriving and purposeful.

Filled with real-life examples, To Be Honest offers actionable steps, practical tools and approaches that any leader or manager can use to create a culture of purpose, honesty and justice.

About the Authors

Ron Carucci has a 30-year track record helping CEOs and executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization and leadership in 25 countries at more than 100 companies. He is co-founder and managing partner at Navalent and is based in Seattle, Washington. He serves on the advisory board of Ethical Systems at New York University, previously served as associate professor of organizational behavior at Fordham University Graduate School and adjunct at the Center for Creative Leadership. He is a sought after speaker, a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and author/co-author of eight books.

Ron Carucci is co-founder and managing partner at Navalent and is based in Seattle, WA. He has a thirty-year track record helping some of the world's most influential executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization and leadership in more than 25 countries on 4 continents. He currently serves on the advisory board of Ethical Systems at New York University and was previously associate professor of organizational behavior at Fordham University Graduate School and served as an adjunct at the Center for Creative Leadership. He is a sought after speaker, a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and has been featured in Fortune, CEO Magazine, Business Insider, MSNBC, Inc, Business Week, Fast Company, CNN, and Smart Business. His clients include CitiBank, Corning, Inc., Lamb Weston, The Hershey Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Abbvie, Holland America Group, Ardent Health, Deutsche Bank, Gates Corporation, MMC, Edward Jones Investments, ConAgra Foods, TriHealth, OhioHealth, Del Monte Foods, Midnight Oil Creative, Weyerhaeuser, McDonald's Corporation, Starbucks, Microsoft, Sojourners, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Kleiner Perkins, Cadbury, Miller Brewing, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Johnson & Johnson, ADP, and the CIA. He is the author of 2 books.