Every author has a story that leads to the publication of his thoughts, passion, and research. That story shapes and forms the text that is found in this book. It is my hope that my story adds to the chapters that follow.
As a graduating senior from college 38 years ago, I sensed a burden and passion to teach at the university level. That would not be earth shaking or life changing except that my collegiate training was in the area of local church ministry. In confusion, I sought the advice of my academic and spiritual advisor, Dr. Larry Fine. Dr. Fine simplified this new burden for me with comforting words that helped me understand that I could be involved in local church ministry for 10 to 15 years and then come back to the university to teach. The combination of experience with academia would be a valuable asset to my teaching. With that solid advice, I graduated from college, married Janice Moore, now my wife of 38 years, and began pastoring a church in the Kansas City area. I also began the Master of Divinity degree from my denominational seminary. Due to my immaturity, pastoring full time, and the 150-mile daily round trip to seminary, I decided that the Master of Divinity degree was not for me; I quit the master level of education.
During the next 33 years, I was involved in local church ministry, leading three churches, remaining at the third congregation for 21 years. In each of these assignments, I utilized the burden and passion to teach by training leaders, often creating my own leadership curriculum. The burden to teach at the university level seemed to be fulfilled with the training I was doing in the local churches I served. However, during the last 7 years of local church ministry, my academic side revived along with the specific burden and passion to teach at the university level.
I knew that to teach at the university level, I needed graduate degrees. So, at the age of 52 I went back to school to attain a Master of Liberal Studies degree in Organizational Leadership. Over the next 2 years, I completed my course work at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), all comprehensive exams, and an organizational internship. Just prior to my graduation, my faculty advisor and department chair of the Leadership Studies Department, Dr. Brent Goertzen, asked me to teach for the university and his department. Dr. Goertzen felt that the course in ethical leadership would be a good fit for me. My immediate but private reaction was that I was being stereotyped for ethics since my background was in the spiritual leadership of people. Dr. Goertzen then led me to do research in ethical leadership for a project in my last semester. That research into ethical leadership changed my life, doctoral, and teaching journeys forever. I was hooked, as ethical leadership became my passion.
After graduation from FHSU, I began teaching for the university that fall in a master’s-level course in ethical leadership. In the following spring, I began the doctoral journey at Capella University to pursue a PhD in Organization and Management with a specialization in Leadership. During the doctoral coursework, I focused my research in the area of ethical leadership, eventually narrowing the research to a gap in the literature: a consistent component model to manage ethics at the corporate or organizational level. In the dissertation phase of the PhD, Dr. Janet Salmons was my research mentor. Dr. Salmons’ expertise allowed me to effectively move through the stages of the dissertation in 14 months, completing the degree in 3½ years. A PhD parishioner, Dr. Glen White, had challenged me that I would be somewhere at the age of 59; it might as well be with a PhD. I defended my dissertation successfully at the age of 58 and achieved a terminal degree in business ahead of schedule!
This book is based on the research for my dissertation. The research design was a qualitative, multiple case study approach with three sources of data in three organizations. The goal of the research was to discover a consistent component model that organizations could use to either evaluate current or to create new systems to manage their company ethics. As you will read in this book, the research did discover that model, which I call the Moldable Model© (MM). I trust that the MM will help you, the reader, develop the ethical climate of your workplace.
I am deeply in debt and grateful to the people already mentioned in this Preface. I thank Dr. Larry Fine for his wisdom in 1977 and for his support all these years. Larry and I are now teaching colleagues in the same department at one of our denominational universities. Dr. Fine’s advice came true 35 years later! I appreciate and thank Dr. Brent Goertzen for his guidance through the MLS, for his vision for helping me catch the passion for ethical leadership, and for allowing me to teach at another of my alma maters. My indebtedness and gratitude continue to extend to Dr. Janet Salmons for her guidance in the leadership theory course at Capella, for her wisdom in navigating the foreboding waters of the dissertation phase, and for her contact with Business Expert Press that landed me this contract. The words of Dr. Glen White were inspirational and gave me the perseverance goal I needed to complete the PhD. Thank you, Dr. Glen! I am grateful also for the time you took to complete a peer review of Chapter 3 of this book.
I am very grateful to Dr. Mike Gough for the time and energy expended to peer review this book. Mike is a friend, mentor, and colleague in my transition to higher education. Thank you, Dr. Mike, for your support and review.
I met Craig Eberly during an important part of this journey. Craig has been an inspiration, friend, and an exemplary guide for my understanding of ethical leadership. I am grateful that our paths crossed and that he gave time to also peer-review this book. Thank you, Craig!
My family has been a constant encouragement to me during my education in the later years of life. My wife, Janice, never once complained about being a master or doctoral widow or the money expended for this journey. She was my cheerleader and best advocate. Janice always had pride in her eyes, voice, and mannerisms when she explained to others what I was doing in my career shift in my 50s. She was my dissertation and book editor, using her detail skills to correct items I missed. She gave surprise parties to celebrate the MLS and PhD accomplishments. I love you, Janice, and thank you for your partnership in life for 38 years. My sons, David and Jared, always supported my education and the writing of this book. David constantly prods me to offer my new skills to various avenues, including the coauthoring of a book on customer service skills. Jared asked me when I started the doctoral journey: “Dad, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Thank you, Jared, for that challenging question; I am now living the dream of what I want to be when I grow up. I am grateful for Jared’s wife, Stephanie, and her belief in reaching for goals that seem unattainable to most. I always sensed she believed in my journey. I also had the companionship of my three grand dogs over the doctoral and authorship journeys—Lewey who lives with us and sleeps near my home office while I study and write; Lizzy and Chief (I call him Larry for obvious reasons) who visit quite regularly.
I want to thank the faculty and staff of the five universities where I teach 25 different courses throughout the academic year. You have given me work and you have also provided encouragement for this journey. The 500 to 600 students I contact annually also have been a boon to my teaching and writing. I am constantly challenged by their questions and ideas.
I could not have had the strength or stamina to do what has been accomplished over the past 38 years without the clear calling, guidance, love, and provisions of my God. God has given me joy on a difficult but rewarding journey.
Finally, I want to thank you for purchasing and reading this book. Ultimately you are the judge of the value of its contents. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts and how you have applied this book to your work and life. I would also covet any suggestions for future editions of the MM.
Don Dunn, PhD
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