The Greenwich Leadership Forum (GLF) is a monthly series of breakfast conversations amongst Connecticut business leaders about the role of faith and ethics in the workplace.
While our Leaders Offline events are aimed at regional and national audiences, GLF seeks to invigorate the spiritual resources of southern Connecticut’s corporate leaders, many of whom work not only in Connecticut but also in America’s financial center — New York City.
GLF was launched as the result of a dinner party one evening in the fall of 2003 in Greenwich, Connecticut. Several gathered business leaders and their friends were concerned by the seemingly endless stream of stories about ethical errors and moral missteps in the corporate world. Believing that faith and religious principles, alongside other resources, would lead to improved ethics, this interdenominational group of business leaders conceived the idea of an executive breakfast series in partnership with David Miller, Executive Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. The current leadership team of GLF consists of Chris Clark, Hank Higdon, Mike Mahaffy, David Miller, Morgan Mitchell, Dick Murphy, David Polak, and Russ Reynolds.
The ethical landscape of the corporate world can be complex and confusing. And recent news stories remind us that the consequences of ethical failures can be wide-ranging and devastating— professionally and personally. Hence, the fundamental question for GLF participants is “How can my religious commitment and personal values shape and influence my behavior in a work environment that is not only religiously pluralistic but also driven by the seemingly irresistible demands of the market?” Each GLF session begins with David’s presentation of a pressing ethical question for business leaders. Utilizing biblical, spiritual, and business resources, the participants then carefully discuss possible solutions. David’s presentations draw on insights and experiences from his current role as a theologian and business ethics professor, as well as his background as a former senior executive. Most often inspired by current headlines, recent GLF topics include:
- “Does God Want You to Be Rich?”
- “Danish Cartoons: No Laughing Matter”
- “Winning Isn’t Everything, or Is It?:
Jack Welch and Jesus on Winning Executive Compensation:
Is It Just or
Just Obscene?!” - “Wal-Mart, Faith & Ethics: Where Do We Fit In?”
- “God & Caesar: Should Faith Influence Investment Decisions?”
- “Should You Be Known as a Person of Faith at Work?”
- “‘You’re Fired!’ — The Shrewd Manager, Luke 16:1–13”
