As I was sitting in my favorite spot at home today, I noticed the little buttons I had pinned to my handbag and remembered The MBA Oath. At the Net Impact Conference a few weeks ago, my friend Angela and I met Debra Wheat from The Oath Project. She had a little table and was asking if MBA students would like to sign up for the oath and take a little button for those qualities they sincerely believed in. She had a button for each: Accountability, Ethics, Synergy, Impact, Duty, Fair Play, Dignity, Sustainability, Thoughtfulness, and Mentorship.

Of course I was interested!! After our Business Ethics class last year, Prof. Ed Felton had ignited a part of my persona that I didn’t know of earlier. The class experience was almost akin to being in the midst of a warzone firing, or sitting in an interrogation session, or being in the witness box of a courtroom, or being an amoeba under a microscope. But its challenging format, which at first made me go “I don’t want to be cold-called upon,” not only made me eventually more aware of what I believed in, but also propelled me to fight for that which I believed in. It was an odyssey into my own value-system, something that will immensely help shape my journey from hereon.

Being an erstwhile believer of the principle of ”Doing Well by Doing Good,” I am certain that the only way forward for any business entity or leader desirous of being at the forefront of today’s globalized society is by adopting this principle as quickly and effectively as they possibly can. I am sure that that every business organization, sooner than later, will need to take off the pink eyeglasses through which they focus on a rosy bottom line of profitmaking, and instead will need to put on a pair of green eyeglasses which will help them see the path to a Triple Bottom Line- people, planet and profits. I am convinced that as future ‘bosses,’ we will have to step back and think more like visionaries than mere managers, and resort to fair play and sustainable practices. I am convinced that as future team leaders, it will be imperative that we lead by example and not just offer lip service, holding ourselves accountable at all times. I am convinced that as future decision makers, it will be our highest duty to respect the dignity of the many lives we impact, be it employees, customers, or the communities we work in. Especially given the unique challenges of our world as we know it. Especially given the stormy politico-economic-socio climate of our world as we know it. Especially given the mass corrosion of the ethical fiber of our world as we know it. Especially given the scourge of corruption and the deep roots of the dark forces in our world as we know it.

As leaders of today and tomorrow, we have an act to perform — a cleansing act, an act of the highest honor, an act of utmost integrity. And so, I signed up for The MBA Oath & urge all my MBA colleagues to do the same. It is going to be my doctrine for the rest of my life, and it should be yours too. I hope that you will allow me the honor of proudly saying that 221 W&M MBAs are signing with me.

Just do it.

Sign The Oath.

And remember:

• This will make you an official signatory.
• By signing, you will join many of your classmates who have already taken the oath and your name will be added to the official public list available on this website.
• The MBA Oath is not legally binding, but it is a public expression of your aspirations and personal commitments as a professional manager.
• About the Personal Statement: One of the goals with the Oath is that this pledge be part of a long-term personal commitment, and not simply a one-time online experience. With this “Note to Self” Personal Statement feature we ask that you write a brief note to future self. These notes will NOT be made public. They will be filed in a secure, private database. Then, annually, we will send your note back to you, so that you may re-engage with the purpose you feel today. (You’ll be able to unsubscribe from those emails anytime you like).You may wish to answer: Why are you choosing to sign this oath today? What issues do you expect to face in the next year? Who else is signing with you?