Should an employee be judged professionally based on things they have done in their personal lives?
The answer can go both ways, as it depends on a person or company’s perspective on certain issues.
Consider my question in regards to David Petraeus.
This week the public learned that Petraeus, director of the Central Intelligence Agency was involved in an extramarital affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. Petraeus offered his resignation and President Barack Obama accepted it.
Petraeus is a decorated four-star Army general who served under presidents of both political parties and ran aspects of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The 60-year-old general has been praised for enhancing the CIA’s operations over terrorists and he has received a plethora of awards and commendations throughout his storied career. Petraeus has been regarded by many as the most celebrated American military leader of recent times.
Do all of his noteworthy professional attributes outweigh the fact that this married man of nearly 40 years cheated on his wife?
Should the affair have resulted in him resigning?
Are Petraeus’ personal indiscretions worth the United States losing the skill set and knowledge of a highly intelligent and effective military leader?
Is it realistic to expect someone who has such tremendous professional pressures to not have “vices”?
Do Petraeus’ actions discredit the armed forces?
Is Petraeus stupid for risking so much that he deserves everything he gets?
I pose these questions to you, not because I am taking one position or the other; but more because I want you to carefully consider various aspects of the situation before you make a decision.
As you ponder the questions, also think of other people in high-ranking positions who had extramarital affairs and see how their experiences or outcomes measure up to Petraeus’ situation.
Were there double standards?
Consider the indiscretions of former Presidents Roosevelt, Kennedy, Clinton and Jefferson. Reflect on the actions of other public figures, such as Prince Charles, Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson Jr. and television evangelist Jim Bakker.
Are Americans being too judgmental when it comes to extramarital affairs?
Is all the attention the media’s fault for “hyping up” the situation?
Are those who complain about affairs without sin themselves?
I am interested to hear your responses. Share them with us on facebook.com/IndyRecorder or via Twitter @indyRecorder. You can also email responses to Newsroom@indyrecorder.com. Next week’s Recorder will publish some of the responses as well as hear what experts say about the topic.
