Mr. David began the session with the poem – The Piped Piper of Hamlin. He read the entire poem and invited discussion on the metaphors that the story, the characters and the community held for us in today’s life. As he questioned the audience over the roles and actions of the actors in the story, there were responses about the rats being the everyday problems that one faces in the workplace; the mayor who had power of the position but irresponsibly executed it; the piper who seemed like a customer or consultant who was unfairly treated; the children who represented the future and its preciousness; the community that did not use the power it had in numbers to make sure the right thing was done and who may have succumbed to the disease of fear of speaking and peer pressure. He highlighted the malady of groupthink when working in teams and how one could remedy it in the organizational context. His message was that when we deal with the issue of governance, we deal with a personal issue because corporate governance can only be put into practice at the point of the individual’s decision to take the higher moral path over the easier, profitable yet many times immoral way.

Mr. David’s insights revolved around how the actions of one individual could create the ‘tipping point’ in a situation. He said any issue, especially one involving people, would turn messy unless one moved from the subject (person) of the situation to the object (issue) of the situation. Thus, one migrates from event to concept. He said that more than physical courage, it was moral courage that was necessary, especially in governance issues, and urged the students to find their definition of moral. It has been his experience that the person who stands up for the right solution would always be respected; however his dissension may be swallowed. His take on the role of H.R. in dealing with good corporate governance was to facilitate a culture that would focus on customers and investors, ensure transparent communication with clear financial reporting along with independent directors.

Spiced with anecdotes and laughter, Mr. David’s message came across easily and effectively and the session was an enjoyable and great learning experience.