A Code of Honor

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I don't watch much golf. I usually hit the majors and maybe some of the Ryder Cup. Suffice it to say I didn't make plans to spend Sunday afternoon watching the Verizon Heritage from Hilton Head Island. In retrospect, maybe I should have.

Our local paper headlined that "Davis' Penalty Leads to Furyk Win." It was the headline because Jim Furyk is from the area. I read on to find out that Furyk and Brian Davis had a playoff to determine the winner as they were tied after 72 holes. Davis, an Englishman, has never won on the PGA tour. As he attempted to chip on the green, his pitching wedge moved a loose reed in the marshy area surrounding the green. He called for a rules official, explained what happened and called a penalty on himself! The rules official asked his colleagues to review the replay and soon confirmed the two-strok penalty. Davis conceded the hole to Furyk who became the winner.

What does this say about Brian Davis? Cynics might say that if he didn't call it, someone might have called it on him. I prefer to think differently. As I read the article (I didn't see it-even on replay) it appears he immediately called for the official and didn't even try the shot. Golfers, as a whole, take the rules seriously and consider adherence to them an outward sign of integrity. Mr. Davis showed all that and more on Sunday. It shows he is a man of honor, with a great deal of respect for the sport. He lives by golf's code of honor.

Would we do the same thing? If we make a mistake or omission at work, do we call ourselves out? Perhaps we do if we know we'll get caught. What if there is no chance of knowing you made the mistake or omission? I've asked myself that question this week. I believe I would, but won't know until I'm in that position. How does an organization reward those who have that integrity and not punish? These are not easy answers. A friend of mine defines honesty as being truthful in what you say and integrity in taking responsibility for what you do. It's a hard definition for all of us to follow, yet 90% of those I've worked with or met would say that honesty and integrity are among their core values. On Sunday, Brian Davis showed the world that he is a man of integrity and lives by a code of honor.