Ethics in Action

When we think about “business leadership”, the first words that often spring to mind are “vision” or “innovation”.

Seldom do the words “ethics” or “ethical” automatically top the list. But they must.

Just as the world is changing, so too is our notion of leadership. And it’s exactly the characteristics that we most value in human beings – respect, responsibility, integrity or compassion – that must become intrinsically connected with leadership.

This is essentially the idea of ethical leadership. That successful leadership is about more than financial returns – it’s also about continuously earning trust.

For FedEx, our ethical commitment can really be summarized in one word – "respect"– and a few simple principles: respect for our customers, respect for our colleagues, respect for our company, and respect for our communities.

It’s not just a concept. We take that trust very seriously. We put our ethics into action every day, as part of a culture in which integrity and ethical conduct are recognized, valued and exhibited.

For instance, every year, thousands of team members volunteer to make their local communities better places to live, work and play.

FedEx CaresWeek in Asia is one such focus area. For the sixth year running, more than 1,000 of our team members have stepped up to volunteer. Right now, they’re committing their time and energy to make a difference in the communities we serve.

This year, they’re doing anything from cleaning up parks and coastlines to preparing and distributing meals for the needy – in the process volunteering more than 4,000 hours to 36 community activities, in 11 countries.

It’s all part of a coordinated effort to bring about positive change, and fostering a common culture of participating and giving. For community is more than living together. It’s working together.