CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES LEAD TO MARKETPLACE SUCCESS, SAYS AUTHOR Is the business of business simply maximizing profit for owners and investors? How should Catholic moral and social teachings influence Catholic businessmen and the way they measure success? These are some of the questions addressed in Force for Good: The Catholic Guide to Business Integrity(Sophia), by Brian Engelland, professor in the Busch School of Business and Economics at The Catholic University of America. Engelland’s business experience includes the introduction of over 300 new products and leadership positions in two Fortune 500 companies. A Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he and his wife, Barbara, have three grown children and eight grandchildren. He answered questions about his book and the role of Catholics in the marketplace. How should Church teaching influence business practices, and are these principles for Catholics only? Engelland: Through their writings, the saints and popes have developed some very good insights on how to make human relationships more fruitful and fulfilling. And these insight aren’t just for Catholics – everyone can benefit by applying them. The Church offers her wisdom free of charge! Business is all about developing fruitful relationships with customers, employees, investors and society at large. When firms apply the Church’s social teaching, they invariably find that trusting relationships are created and good business results. What principles should guide Catholics in the marketplace? Engelland: Catholics need to begin with the basic moral values expressed in the Commandments – don’t lie, cheat, steal, disobey legitimate authority, or crave what belongs to someone else. But that’s not enough. Catholics also need to work on the virtues, especially the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, courage and moderation. Virtues are the original “continuous improvement” program. They help us get better at everything we do. But there’s even something more that’s required to push us toward human flourishing. Catholics need to implement the four core principles of social doctrine – concern for human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good. When good moral values, virtues, and the social teachings of the Church are applied, your work can serve as a force for good in this world. You say that maximizing profit at the expense of other human values is not only bad ethics but also bad for business. Engelland: When we focus too much on a score-keeping metric like “net profit,” we tend to blind ourselves to the most important element of any business – its people. In addition, we tend to concentrate on the here and now, while ignoring long-term impact. Without trust, there can be no business. When we nickel-and-dime relationships, we degrade trust, and we kill any business that relies on trusting relationships. Any advice for Catholic men struggling to keep their faith in the workplace? Engelland: Championing the latest social issue of the day should not be the concern of a business created to serve customers. If your employer is promoting hostile views, don’t engage in moral muteness, the practice of withholding your input when you observe morally questionable attitudes and practices. Speak up by asking, “Isn’t there a better way to achieve our goals here?” or “Is doing this, or promoting that, really helping us serve our customers?” Don’t say, “but the Church teaches…,” or “but the pope says…” Instead, focus on getting your manager or coworker to see that there’s a better way for the firm to operate. For more information on the book, visit Sophia Institute Press.