The Gary Principles

I remain a firm believer in recognizing those who strive to make the world a better place either in word or deed or, ideally, both. While they may not always succeed, their effort deserves a spotlight to remind the rest of us that there are those who see the benefit of  working toward the greater good of society and motivating others to do the same. Back in 1909, Elbert Gary, the first chairman of United States Steel Corporation, composed a set of guidelines or principles designed to showcase his company's values. Additionally, his vision also represented a hope that other entities would follow suit in terms of their interactions with the general public.  

The Gary Principles included nine points that touched on the importance of openness, positive-thinking, honesty, and fairness. Highlights of Gary's decree are worth noting. Among the points put forth by Gary are: "The surest and wisest of all regulation is pubic opinion...........when a thing is right, it will ultimately and permanently succeed..........no industry can permanently succeed that does not treat its employees equitably and humanely.........success should come to him who is most earnest and active and persevering...........our rights and interests are and should be subservient to the public welfare."

Even though Gary's vision is now not quite 110 years old, its core message remains fresh. It accents the principles on which our country was founded: "United we stand, divided we fall."  It is not an accident that our nation is called the "United" States rather than, say, the "Joining of 50 Geographic Sections of the World to Form a Loosely-Formed Country." We are a singular entity comprised of multiple parts. Even the Public Relations Society of America endorses this concept in its code of ethics. The PRSA calls upon its members to help give those in need a voice, but to do so in support of the principles on which we were built and continue to exist.