Coach Dean Smith's brand of ethics.

Reading this obituary by John Feinstein for Coach Dean Smith, I believe the Coach has a lesson for the fight against corruption as well.

There isn't a big law firm or accounting firm that isn't investing a considerable amount on marketing in the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) space. The marketing has catered to the diverse threats criminal misconduct has in store for companies and their directors from - enforcement action, penalties, a strong business case against corruption to name a few. How a service is marketed conveys a great deal about market conditions and the sad reality is the social and moral argument to not bribe is no longer a strong enough case for a company to not bribe.

While making a strong economic case for compliant conduct takes centerstage, what's worse is corporations asking for recognition and credit for their anti corruption initiatives. Business ethics thus faces suspension on the pendulum of 'not a strong enough a business case' or 'insufficient recognition or credit'.

I long for the day when we don't have to sell compliance and companies are compliant without wanting credit for being compliant, because like Dean Smith says to John- "You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do the right thing.”

Rest in peace Dean Smith and I hope your brand of ethics does not have to rest in peace alongside you.