Raising Bar On Corporate Ethics.(MANAGING FOR SUCCESS)(REAL SOLUTIONS: LEADERSHIP)

Byline: Morey Stettner

By his early thirties, Bill George had climbed the ladder to run Litton Industries' fast-growing microwave oven division.

Even though his unit's profit outpaced Litton's other divisions, George's career hit a snag.

He clashed frequently with Litton's chief executive, who was nearly double his age. The CEO used bullying tactics, which upset George.

"His attitude was "No one will stand up to me. I'm CEO of a $5 billion company,' " George recalls. "But I stood up to him. One time, he unleashed a verbal tirade at my controller -- an honest, mild-mannered guy who had done nothing wrong. I stepped in and said, "Now look, …