The noble edge : reclaiming an ethical world one choice at a time

As a teacher, trainer and consultant, author Christopher Gilbert spends most of his days talking about how to do the right thing.

In his book, “The Noble Edge,” Gilbert presents a strong and convincing argument about human ethics and morality.  In a pleasingly conversational tone and manner, the author explores the many instances in our lives in which we must choose between what is clearly right or wrong, and be prepared to live with the consequences. Christopher Gilbert maintains that these are not necessarily easy choices, especially when they run counter to the decisions that might lead to greater success and financial or personal reward. But he helps us to understand exactly why making honest and transparent choices will always bring us more joy and satisfaction in our lives.

A noted expert in the field of ethics and morality, Gilbert shows us again and again how we are faced with a wide variety of decisions that decide and define the course of our journey in life. In a tone that is warm and understanding, he recounts endless examples of instances in which we must do what is “right” despite the consequences. Gilbert, who earned his PhD in ethics, takes us deep into the heart of decision-making, on every conceivable level.  He explores how we are often tempted into rationalizing a choice for the sake of personal achievement or monetary success.

By using real-life examples and his own style of warmth and humor, Dr. Gilbert presents an invitation to everyone to embrace ethics. During a time of vast distrust and unethical behavior in all facets of society, this refreshing primer is essential reading. If you’re striving to make the right decisions at the toughest times, this book will help you in your struggles. Highly recommended.

Entering the world of Christopher Gilbert, Ph.D. with his book, The Noble Edge: Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time, is well-worth taking and savoring all the way through. Put aside all your pre-conceived notions and open up your mind and soul, for you are about to be educated on the implications of your smallest and biggest decisions; about how a heightened level of humanity’s moral progress can elicit “enlightened ethical choices” made from the creation of a “virtue driven set of human values guided by our moral development and chosen through exercise of our higher nature, free-will.” Fractured political, economic and social segments of society, according to Gilbert, need to elevate their moral/ethical standards.   

Gilbert reminds of me of the late Wayne Dyer, whose tape courses, books and TV shows were a staple for millions seeking personal guidance and motivation. His engaging style elicits a comfortable reaction in the way Dyer ushered one into the process of self-improvement, and often made it stick. 

He went into ‘Leadership Ethics’ after having his business was destroyed by unethical competitors, begins the journey with a simple phrase: “There is no right way to do the wrong thing.” Having lectured and worked around the world, Gilbert’s level of experience matches his academic prowess and gives weight to the overriding goal of the book, and his work. He wants all of us, individually and collectively, to stride confidently and consistently towards the ‘The Noble Edge,’ which represents “an advance in our character” and will establish “a world that supports consistent good choice making.” Gilbert cheekily claims the view from The Noble Edge is “Empowering…and Astounding.”

The first step is Gilbert establishing a start point with Ethics Principle #1, “Laws tell us what we can do; ethics tells us what we should do.” This is followed by noting that we all speak in “code language” with “lies of omission” or “misdirection” that must be understood by sender and receiver. From there the journey gets more intense, detailed and sometimes convoluted. I suggest carefully reading, and even re-reading, sections for absolute clarity. Gilbert employs fictitious and real-life scenarios, some from his own experiences, to drive home big and small moral and ethical conundrums. 

Christopher Gilbert’s book will cause one to think, and rethink, the personal, business and social decisions made every day, definitely a primary goal of the book. You will be richly rewarded by taking a hike up to The Noble Edge and checking out the view.

Brad Butler, Author of A World Flight Over Russia. 

This is such a fascinating and thought-provoking book. We all like to think we are honest, and would do the ‘right’ thing, however, would we? What about the niggling little voices in our heads which influence what we actually do? Do we really do what is ethically and morally right, or what’s right for us?

Dr Christopher Gilbert, was once one of the owners of a successful food delivery service called Cravings. The company was established on a strong foundation, and grew well. Unfortunately its downfall came about solely through the unethical behaviour of another company. However, it was this experience which made the author decide to follow his passion and studying ethics and human morality.

He embraced these interests and earned a PhD specializing in ethics, a Bachelor’s degree in geology, and a MBA in marketing. His passion has led over the past 25 years, to him traveling, and working, on four different continents.

What I absolutely love about this book is that it takes his reader on a moral and ethical journey, engaging them through the experiences of the author, and others, as well as through the role play of his virtual character Grace. Through her, a scenario is played out at the end of each chapter. These help the reader to fully understand the ethicality of each of the decisions she could make in that situation, and the differing repercussions of each.

The research, and personal experiences which have shaped this book are evident. Through reading it we discover how to live our life with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness. The author provides us with a well thought out blue print, which evolves as we read, revealing the three steps and nine crucial principals we can use to live a more honest, ethical, and truthful life.

There are many really good quotes in the book but this one by Ghandi is my favourite “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” For this, quintessentially, is what this book is all about. As the author says, “In the broadest context, an ethical choice is any decision or action that has an impact on others now, or in the future.” Isn’t it our duty to do just that, not only for the people on this planet, but for the Earth itself?

Many books are written about changing your life, being the better you. This book goes one step further, it invites you to go beyond yourself, to be a beacon of trust and honesty, set the right example, and do the right thing. The years of work in this field have really paid off for Dr Christopher Gilbert, because this book holds secrets everyone can learn and benefit by. Highly recommended!

Washington author Christopher Gilbert earned his BS in Geology from the University of Washington, his MBA in Marketing from the University of Puget Sound, and his PhD in organization, management and leadership ethics from Capella University. He is the co-founder of NobleEdge Consulting – ‘providing leadership development training that focuses on creating a culture of ethics, trustworthiness and building strong relationships.’ complementing his services as a coach, speaker, ethics consultant, and facilitator, he has served as COO for Bainbridge Graduate Institute, and as global faculty at the University of Washington and educational institutions in the US, China, Switzerland, Iran and the Russian Republic. In addition to his publication of books – THERE’S NO RIGHT WAY TO THE WRONG THING and this new book THE NOBLE EDGE – Dr. Gilbert is a contributing author to CNBC, Quartz, Entrepreneur, Successful Business News among others. He lives just outside Seattle.

One of the many reasons this book becomes meaningful and incorporative is Gilbert’s manner of writing – or conversing, as his prose style is warmly personal. Even the Introduction to his book opens a door into his sage advice: “I feel my job is to start a conversation about what it means to do right in business and in life despite the constant personal, social, economic and other cultural and societal pressures to ignore what is ‘right” in favor of “success”…Living at the Noble Edge brings a consistency to our values and our virtues. It presents us a vista of complete information in our relationships which have always thrived on trust and trustworthiness…We have the amazing power to reclaim an ethical world despite the near daily challenges to our trust…’ And it is that inviting tone that brings Gilbert’s calm, supportive, trusting advice into our minds as a stimulus to live an ethically driven life - understanding ethics, legality and moral development.  

The personal history of Christopher Gilbert and his innovative food delivery service concept, ‘Cravings,’ provides a very strong ‘a-ha’ moment to the core message of his book – a new business that took risks and failed. ‘In the broadest context, an ethical choice is any decision or action that has an impact on others now or in the future…our ethics affect others and theirs in turn affect us.’ By offering actual examples of his coins of advice, the significance of his coaching becomes apparent – and relatable.

Through many excellent examples, Gilbert teaches us not only the true definition of ethics and ethical behavior, but also encourages us with the warmth and humor of his presentation how to grow into the decisions that embrace ethics. We live in a period of fake news, social media conversing, computer-dominated communication and all the other IA permutations that make electing ethical choices a challenge. Using Gilbert’s fine book those situations diminish – for both businesses and our personal lives. This is a ‘breathe in and live differently’ invitation. Very highly recommended.

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The Noble Edge: Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time by Christopher Gilbert, PhD is a book perfect for high school students and up.  The message is easily understood, there are plenty of examples about ethics and the choices we make. Its not a book about theory nor is it a grand pontification about ethics. Instead it is more like a conversation about ethics and choices and how to keep ethics in mind.

We are all making decisions every day and ethics come into play on a regular basis whether we realize it or not. Gilbert says "Ethics are the guardrails society needs."   I highly recommend this book. 5-Stars.