“Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum!”, said Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, on September 25th, 1983 – the day when Australia won the America’s Cup. A nation celebrated as we cheered from in front of our TV.
And I had missed the opportunity of a lifetime to be there, at the finishing line, on a full serviced yacht, all expenses paid.
The deal was for me to be flown, first class, from Melbourne to Perth. Picked up and escorted to an all female crewed boat, lavished with amazing food, wine, women and song. Value was around $10,000. No one would know – the gift to remain confidential. BUT. But, I had to sign the contracts giving the company exclusive supply to the bank of some very expensive ‘computer equipment’.
A bribe?! “No“, I was assured, “Just a gift of appreciation for selecting us.“
The only problem was, the offer was made before the signing – and that is a Bribe. But even if it were made after the contracts were signed, it would still put me in a place of being beholden to them… and future deals could be in jeopardy as a result. What would stop them from pulling out the blackmail card later if I refused to sign some future contract? They could easily say I accepted a Bribe and not a gift.
Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
Daniel 5:16,17
As with Daniel, the signing of the Contract for the gift would compromise my integrity.
No one can take your integrity…only you can give it away.
It is a valuable commodity…and worth far mare than $10,000. For Daniel, he was not prepared to give his integrity away for the price of being clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
Nevertheless, Daniel still read the writing on the wall for the king. And I did sign the Contracts because it was the best deal for the Bank. Australia won the America’s Cup and I slept well that night.