Ethical Efficiency™: How Merit, Diversity Of Thought And Ethics Can Elevate Organizations
In this Forbes article, Ethical Efficiency™: How Merit, Diversity Of Thought And Ethics Can Elevate Organizations, Forbes Councils member and GLSS Founder & Chairman Karlo Tanjuakio elaborates on Ethical Efficiency™, which blends operational excellence with moral responsibility, advocating for systems that are not just fast and smart, but also inclusive and fair. Rather than viewing diversity and efficiency as opposing forces, Ethical Efficiency presents them as complementary. It encourages organizations to pursue speed and innovation without sacrificing their values or the well-being of people and the planet. Rooted in compassion and ethics, this approach transforms the traditional focus on output into a broader vision of impact and humanity-centered progress.
Merit is at the heart of Ethical Efficiency, but it must be defined by fairness and inclusion. True meritocracy can’t exist where systemic barriers exclude capable individuals. Ethical Efficiency calls for transparent and unbiased systems that elevate the best ideas, regardless of origin. Diversity of thought—driven by people with varied backgrounds and experiences—fuels innovation and better decision-making. However, diversity must be paired with disciplined execution to ensure that inclusion leads to action, not indecision.
To implement Ethical Efficiency, organizations must build fair, merit-based pathways; actively seek cognitive diversity; and define ethical nonnegotiables like respect, equity, and purpose. Decision-making should be structured in two stages: inclusive input followed by decisive, values-driven action. Ultimately, Ethical Efficiency is not just a strategy—it’s a framework for creating institutions that are both high-performing and deeply human. By combining competence, compassion, and courage, organizations can become forces for meaningful change and shared prosperity.
Efficiency without ethics is hollow. Diversity without direction is unfocused. But when merit, ethics and diversity of thought are woven together through Ethical Efficiency, we create organizations—and a world—capable of extraordinary things. - Karlo Tanjuakio, GLSS + Kure
