Full Answer Section

Walking the Tightrope: The Allure of Advantage

It was during my internship at a bustling tech startup. The pressure to deliver was palpable, and deadlines loomed like thunderclouds. We were tasked with developing a new app, and the competition was fierce. One team member, let’s call him Mark, proposed a shortcut: borrowing snippets of code from a competitor’s app and subtly integrating them into ours. The potential benefits were tempting – a faster development cycle and potentially a higher market share. Yet, a gnawing unease settled in my stomach.

The Crossroads: Ethics vs. Advantage

The allure of the shortcut was undeniable. It promised success, swift and tangible. But the ethical implications were stark. Borrowing code, even snippets, felt like plagiarism, a blatant disregard for intellectual property rights. The potential consequences – legal repercussions, reputational damage – sent shivers down my spine.

This internal conflict mirrored the dilemma faced by sumo wrestlers. The incentive of winning, of securing a higher rank and its associated rewards, can lead wrestlers to throw matches for personal gain. Similarly, the pressure to succeed, to outshine the competition, can tempt people like Mark to resort to unethical shortcuts.

The Guiding Light: Responsible Stewardship

In that moment of uncertainty, Saint Leo’s core value of responsible stewardship became my guiding light. It reminded me that true success is not measured by shortcuts or dubious victories, but by acting with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the greater good.

Here’s how responsible stewardship helped me navigate the situation:

• Integrity: I knew that borrowing code, regardless of the potential benefits, would be a violation of ethical principles. It would mean sacrificing my integrity and compromising the company’s values.
• Accountability: I was accountable not just to myself, but to my team, the company, and ultimately, to the wider community. Taking a shortcut would have meant betraying their trust and potentially causing harm.
• Commitment to the greater good: True success, as Saint Leo emphasizes, lies in contributing to a better world. Cheating, even for a temporary advantage, would have undermined that very purpose.

Confronting the Temptation: A Courageous Choice

Armed with these guiding principles, I approached Mark and expressed my discomfort with his proposed solution. We engaged in a frank discussion, exploring the ethical and practical ramifications of his suggestion. Ultimately, we agreed to focus on our own skills and creativity, even if it meant a slightly slower development cycle.

The decision wasn’t easy. The pressure to succeed still lingered, but the clarity provided by responsible stewardship empowered me to make a choice that aligned with my values.

Lessons Learned: A Blueprint for the Future

This experience taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me to this day:

• The power of ethics: Adhering to ethical principles, even in challenging situations, can lead to long-term success and personal satisfaction.
• The importance of speaking up: Recognizing and voicing concerns about unethical practices is crucial for fostering a culture of integrity.
• The value of collaboration: Working together, openly and honestly, can lead to innovative solutions that are both effective and ethical.

Saint Leo’s core value of responsible stewardship has become a cornerstone of my approach to life and work. It serves as a compass, guiding me through the complexities of decision-making and reminding me that true success lies in acting with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the greater good.

Facing the future, I know that even in the face of alluring shortcuts and fierce competition, responsible stewardship will remain my guiding light. It will empower me to make courageous choices, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to a world where success is measured not by dubious victories, but by ethical conduct and a commitment to the common good.