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progressive.org — Our nation’s leaders have a choice to make. They can continue to turn the other cheek as employers flush job standards down the drain, or they can ensure that the jobs of tomorrow are good, decent jobs that will move Americans into recovery. Yes, we need to put people to work, and it is imperative that Congress pass legislation to provide incentives for businesses to hire more workers and extend unemployment benefits for those struggling to find jobs and pay the bills. But make no mistake: We must not let our standards go by the wayside in the name of job creation. We must ensure the jobs that are being created are good jobs.

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nytimes.com — The Obama administration and Democrats in general are in trouble because they are not urgently and effectively addressing the issue that most Americans want them to: the frightening economic insecurity that has put a chokehold on millions of American families. The talk inside the Beltway, that super-incestuous, egomaniacal, reality-free zone, is that President Obama and the Democrats have a messaging or public relations problem. That’s just silly. People are upset because they are mired in economic distress and are losing faith that their elected representatives are looking out for their best interests.

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huffingtonpost.com — The Financial Times just devoted a special section of the paper to "individuals and companies who have displayed courage and vision in the aftermath of the most wrenching financial crisis since the Great Depression." This piece of journalism -- and the awards that were granted -- were especially designed "to recognize boldness on a global scale."

A few years ago, in a book I titled It Takes a CEO: It's Time to Lead With Integrity (Free Press, 2005), I tried to identify all of the traits -- including boldness -- that I believe characterize truly successful CEOs. It would have been a pleasure to collaborate with the FT's editor and writers -- they did a great job -- however, when it came to matching specific companies and CEOs with leadership attributes, I think that in at least one instance they missed the "Integrity" trait.

Let me elaborate.

In its Foreword, the FT said: "While recognizing the profit imperative, these awards have also paid due weight to the impact of a company on the wider community, whether through innovation, education or philanthropy."

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