The Transparency Task Force (TTF) and its members seek to re-balance the financial ecosystem in favor of the society it is meant to serve. This effort is reflected in our multifaceted Finance Development Goals, which form a framework for finance reform in the same way that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a framework for planetary change. However, as an independent organisation, TTF recognizes the limits of its influence. Truly meaningful and sustainable change must come from within the Financial Sector itself; and we wish to help promote and facilitate the change that is needed.
We cannot overstate the transformational potential of the leaders within our industry to effect change. In future, before our aspirations will not become reality unless and until a majority of industry leaders begin to see themselves consistent with the Finance Development Goals, as a solid set of ethics-driven principles that embody political and regulatory leaders have sufficient courage to stand against powerful special interests and call out those who do not operate ethically.
With respect to industry reform, leadership is a pro-active endeavor that extends well beyond a particular person, position or organisation. The League is founded on our convictions that the transformational impact of industry leaders will be magnified through their platform for collaboration, mutual support and collective voice.
The quotations below capture very well the essence of the progress of ethical leadership and they serve as a compelling conclusion to the exploration of the raison d’être for our International League of Ethics Serving the Society.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, an army, or in an office.”
“Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave’em all over everything you do.”
“Leadership is not a person or a position. It is a complex moral relationship between people based on trust, obligation, commitment, emotion and a shared vision of the good.”
“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But, if you must be without one, be without strategy.”
“Leadership is absolutely about inspiring action, but it is also about guarding against mis-action.”
“There is a need for financial reform along ethical lines that would produce in its turn an economic reform to benefit everyone. This would nevertheless require a courageous change of attitude on the part of political leaders.”
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists; when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did ourselves.”
