Conscience for Hire

The job title might sound a little kooky, but the rationale behind it is sound. We need more ethics and integrity integrated into businesses today.

Image credit: School of Athens by Raphael, 1510. Fresco, Vatican City (Wikimedia Commons)

Who’s the corporate conscience of a company?

That question sounds a little off, doesn't it? A company is supposed to be a thing, not a person. But U.S. Supreme Court rulings on corporate personhood date back to 1886, and subsequently, companies have been able to enjoy some of the rights granted to individuals.

If we consider companies human-like, then it also stands to reason that they have a conscience. Or at least you'd hope they would.

This is from where corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs sprang. And these have typically reflected the good that companies do—hopefully with activities that are congruent with their overall culture—to give back to society.

But are philanthropic or sustainability initiatives enough? There’s always the danger of being called out for greenwashing or doing things that are inconsistent with daily business practices. Especially with a public that is more cynica…