meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Smart People Podcast

Fred Kiel – Does It Pay To Be Moral?

Smart People Podcast

Smart People Industries

Society & Culture, Business, Education

4.6736 Ratings

🗓️ 14 July 2015

⏱️ 57 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We've all been taught the golden rule - "treat others as you want to be treated". Our parents raise us with the best intentions - they tell us to be nice to one another, and not to step on others to get ahead. But is that actually good advice? Is it better to have high moral character and put others first, or is it a dog eat dog world where nice guys finish last? This week we speak with Fred Kiel, co-founder of KRW International, leadership researcher, and author of the new book, Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win. In this book (and episode), Fred summarizes seven years of research on the connection between the character of the CEO and return on assets. As part of this research, Fred and his team embarked on a landmark study of more than 100 CEOs and over 8,000 of their employees' to determine once and for all if the character of a leader really has an impact on a company's financial success. Prior to focusing on business advising, Fred founded a successful private practice in Minneapolis which became the major employer of professionals in that market. His interest in business advising eventually won out, and a bit over two decades ago, he sold his practice and co-founded KRW International. Fred has served on the boards of several philanthropic organizations, including Augsburg College Youth and Family Institute, Graywolf Press, Walk-In Counseling Center, and the Lyra Concert. He currently serves on the board of the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. He also served on the adjunct staff of the Center for Creative Leadership for nearly ten years and served two terms on the Board of Psychology for the state of Minnesota. ____ "We are born to be both self-concerned and to be concerned for the common good. Which one of those sides 'wins' is dependent upon our environment and our experiences as we grow up." - Fred Kiel Quotes from Fred: What we learn in this episode: What does it take to be a strong leader? What does it mean to be moral? What are the 4 moral principles? What are the two eulogies that you have and how do you want to shape them? Resources: Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win returnoncharacter.com Fred Kiel TedX Talk -- This episode is brought to you by: Sidekick: Go to getsidekick.com/smartpeople to get your first month of Sidekick for free. Igloo: Go to igloosoftware.com/smartpeople to use Igloo for FREE with up to 10 of your favorite coworkers or customers! Lynda.com: Do something good for yourself in 2015 and sign up for a FREE 10-day trial to Lynda.com by visiting Lynda.com/smartpeople. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Are you a smart booker or a silly booker?

0:07.4

Smart bookers get access to a three airport lounge by booking a five-star holiday with On the Beach.

0:13.8

Silly bookers?

0:14.8

Well, enjoy those cues at the bar.

0:17.1

Stop booking around and visit on the beach.com.

0:22.2

Conditions apply.

0:25.6

Seven night minimum stay outbound only from selected airports for up to six people,

0:26.4

Atoll protected.

0:29.7

On the beach.

0:34.9

Adobe Express is the quick and easy create anything app.

0:40.9

It has taken my content to the next level, making it simple to create everything I need to promote my business.

0:46.2

From Instagram and TikTok posts to logos and flyers, all in just a few clicks.

0:49.2

Build your brand with Adobe Express.

0:53.3

Search for Adobe Express to find out more and get the app for free.

0:57.6

Adobe Express, the quick and easy create anything app.

1:04.2

This episode of Smart People podcast is supported by Sidekick by HubSpot.

1:08.7

With Sidekick, you can get powerful contact insight right in your inbox.

1:13.7

Sidekick seamlessly integrates with your email so you can receive live notifications when someone opens and clicks on your emails and schedule emails to be sent when you're offline.

1:18.6

Go to get sidestidekick.com slash smart people to get your first month of Sidekick for free.

1:24.3

The podcast where we talk to smart people, but not necessarily done by smart people.

1:29.6

That is an awesome question.

1:31.6

This one goes down probably on one of my top five.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Smart People Industries, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Smart People Industries and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.