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March 26, 2020 By Richard Bowen

The world is in crisis

Image of orange neon sign that says "Change"
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash

In our lifetimes we have not experienced any event that has impacted so many of us in so many different ways as Covid-19. We are dealing with a deadly virus affecting hundreds of thousands all over the world, as well as a potentially devastating worldwide recession.

The Covid-19 crisis is calling on us all to display even more accountability, empathy, respect and transparency. In essence, we are all on display. Our actions today are our future tomorrow.

In the last several weeks, we’ve been deluged by data, news, announcements, all focused on Covid-19. One announcement that came across my desk and really struck a chord was Transparency International’s (TI) latest newsletter.

It mentioned the upcoming G-20 leaders’ summit which, because of present circumstances, will be conducted virtually. The article said “we expect world leaders to show extraordinary solidarity and act in the interest of the common good.” Yet we can expect all we like, the question is will they?

Collaboration and transparency

It has never been so important for world leaders to act collaboratively. This crisis is not unique to any one country. It is imperative our leaders act for the common good. Transparency International says “these are extraordinary times that call for an extraordinary level of accountability and transparency, integrity and solidarity.” Agreed.

I was struck by their admonition that when “vast amounts of taxpayer money is at stake in a high pressure environment, ensuring the corrupt don’t benefit at the expense of the people is critical.” Rest assured there will be those who unjustly attempt to benefit at the expense of others.

We can be better

Crisis can bring out the best in people and it can also bring out the worse in others. TI has identified “several critical anti-corruption measures around health care, including open publication of research into vaccines and treatments, the protection of whistleblowers in health systems and ensuring equal access to life-saving treatment,” we’d be advised to pay attention to.

Safety and health issues are of course of paramount importance, yet so are threats to social justice. It has never been so important that our and others’ governments, at every level, act with integrity and transparency.

The decisions made today, by entities we have no choice but to trust in, that they act in our best interests will determine our future.

These are scary times. How are they impacting you? With schools and businesses closed, we are forced to restructure many aspects of our lives. Stay at home regulations are tough.

The choice is ours

We have a choice though. We can live with dignity and graciousness and make the best of the situation at hand or moan, gripe, complain and find fault. It’s not so much of a when life gives you lemons make lemonade as to what is your character? To paraphrase Gandhi, how can you be the change you wish to see in the world and that the world right now so needs?

We all now have a hand in redesigning a new world we will live in soon. What choices will you hold yourself and our leaders to?

Stay well, be safe and repurpose.

Pausing For A While
Relationships Count

Tagged With: COVID-19, impact, reaction

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Richard Bowen is widely known as the Citigroup whistleblower. As Business Chief Underwriter for Citigroup during the housing bubble financial crisis meltdown, he repeatedly warned Citi executive management and the board about fraudulent behavior within the organization. The company certified poor mortgages as quality mortgages and sold them to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other investors.

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What People Are Saying About Richard M. Bowen

William D. Cohan"Richard Bowen is one of my heroes. His is a story of human fortitude at its best and Wall Street at its worst."

~ William D. Cohan, NY Times Best Selling Author
2017-06-30T10:08:59-05:00
"Richard Bowen is one of my heroes. His is a story of human fortitude at its best and Wall Street at its worst." ~ William D. Cohan, NY Times Best Selling Author
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/2556/

Eileen McDonnell"Richard Bowen reinforced my motto that "there is no right way to do a wrong thing.” Long after his presentation, the conversation has continued about personal responsibility and the courage to challenge things that appear to be wrong. We encourage this dialog and rely on it to help make our business stronger."

~ Eileen McDonnell, Chairman, CEO, & President, Penn Mutual
2015-02-13T19:51:19-06:00
"Richard Bowen reinforced my motto that "there is no right way to do a wrong thing.” Long after his presentation, the conversation has continued about personal responsibility and the courage to challenge things that appear to be wrong. We encourage this dialog and rely on it to help make our business stronger." ~ Eileen McDonnell, Chairman, CEO, & President, Penn Mutual
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/711/

Ben Stein"Richard Bowen, you are a star and a hero."

~ Ben Stein, Economist and Political Commentator
2015-02-13T19:50:26-06:00
"Richard Bowen, you are a star and a hero." ~ Ben Stein, Economist and Political Commentator
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/712/

Jim Farrell"Richard's speech at the April Financial Executives International dinner was informative, interesting, riveting, and fast moving.  The feedback from members was overwhelming positive, and Richard received one of the few standing ovations given by our membership."

~ Jim Farrell, Program Chairman, Dallas Chapter, Financial Executives International
2014-12-28T19:48:17-06:00
"Richard's speech at the April Financial Executives International dinner was informative, interesting, riveting, and fast moving.  The feedback from members was overwhelming positive, and Richard received one of the few standing ovations given by our membership." ~ Jim Farrell, Program Chairman, Dallas Chapter, Financial Executives International
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/532/

Dennis McCuistion"Richard Bowen has been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it, and his message of corruption at the highest levels of industry and government needs to be heard. I only wish that more bankers had the courage that Bowen exhibits. He is not only one of the most talented bankers I have ever met, he has more integrity than all the bankers on Wall Street put together. If his former employer had listened to him taxpayers would not have had to bail out Citi for the third time in the last 30 years."

~ Dennis McCuistion, Host of the McCuistion TV program
2014-12-28T19:48:06-06:00
"Richard Bowen has been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it, and his message of corruption at the highest levels of industry and government needs to be heard. I only wish that more bankers had the courage that Bowen exhibits. He is not only one of the most talented bankers I have ever met, he has more integrity than all the bankers on Wall Street put together. If his former employer had listened to him taxpayers would not have had to bail out Citi for the third time in the last 30 years." ~ Dennis McCuistion, Host of the McCuistion TV program
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/533/

Betty Garrett"Richard Bowen is a dynamic, entertaining speaker and story-teller - a CPA with a great personality!"

~ Betty Garrett, Garrett Speakers International
2014-12-28T19:47:50-06:00
"Richard Bowen is a dynamic, entertaining speaker and story-teller - a CPA with a great personality!" ~ Betty Garrett, Garrett Speakers International
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/531/

fred-timmons"I believe Richard Bowen is the only keynote speaker to ever receive a standing ovation from the Texas Society of CPA’s at any of its annual conferences."

~ Fred Timmons, Chairman of The Texas Society of CPA's
2014-12-28T19:47:22-06:00
"I believe Richard Bowen is the only keynote speaker to ever receive a standing ovation from the Texas Society of CPA’s at any of its annual conferences." ~ Fred Timmons, Chairman of The Texas Society of CPA's
https://richardmbowen.com/testimonials/530/

Presentation Topics

Playing for High Stakes: The Principles and Practice of Ethical Leadership

Dark Citi: The Story of a Whistleblower

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About Richard

Now an ethical leadership speaker, Richard Bowen was Citigroup's Business Chief Underwriter during the housing bubble.

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