Andrew Fastow on Ethics?

Yesterday, I attended a lecture on ethics sponsored by Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVCOB) of De La Salle University (DLSU) through its research and advocacy arm, the Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD). Andrew Fastow was the guest speaker of this talk entitled "Enron and lessons learned: Advice to future business leaders". Please refer to time.com or The Washington Post to learn more about Enron and Adrew Fastow.

Anyway, as what Mr. Andrew Fastow mentioned, he should be the last person who should be talking about ethics after what happened to Enron. Though he was introduced by Dr. Benito Teehankee, Chair of Management and Organization Department of DLSU, through his achievements such as becoming the CFO of the Year, he still denied being invited because of those achievements. He told that he was not invited because of becoming CFO of the Year but because he was imprisoned. At first it is seems to be a joke after hearing that Mr. Fastow will be lecturing about ethics. But after attending the lecture, my doubts were no where to be found. Why? Because during his lecture, he keeps on emphasizing and reminding every one that every time you follow rules, you must do it in accordance to your principle.

I might not be able to share what happened during the entire talk, but this is the part I wanted to share the most. He shared his trophy for winning the CFO of the Year award and together with his trophy, he also shared his prison ID. He told everyone that his prison ID is placed on his bathroom to remind him every day about his past. He does not want to forget those experiences and start being that person who only follows the rule regardless of his principles.

He shared a lot of anecdote to explain things which are incomprehensible or which are vague if discussed as it is. He likes asking questions and yet left his audience hanging to that question without providing the answer. Because he wants everybody to learn how to ask "why". And during the Q&A, a student asked him whether he will not do those things he did in the past if given a chance. He answered no since lots of people were affected on the after-math of the scandal. But after that, he asked the student, what will he do if he was in his situation.

He may not really be the most reliable person to talk about ethics but one thing is for sure, you will learn more that what you expected after listening to him. Now I can say that the saying "do not judge the book by its cover" is applicable to any aspect.:)