BE HONEST AND DEPENDABLE A New Year's Resolution.(LEADERS & SUCCESS)(IBD'S 10 SECRETS TO SUCCESS)

Byline: Robin Grugal

10 With corporate scandals continuing to dominate the headlines in 2003, one can only wonder what's in store for 2004. Might it be a turnaround year? Why not make it one for yourself?

Think of the recent news as an invitation to evaluate our own ethical standards and those of your employer -- and bring about change for the new year.

Before you say, "But nothing I do even approaches what I've read in the headlines," remember there's always room for improvement.

Maybe you don't use looted funds to lavish yourself with outrageously expensive toys, as was allegedly the case for ex-Tyco International Chief Executive Dennis Kozlowski and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy. Maybe you wouldn't sell stock on an inside tip, as Martha Stewart is accused of doing.

And maybe you wouldn't help cook the books, as WorldCom Chief Financial Officer Scott Sullivan stands accused of and for which Rite Aid top lawyer Franklin Brown was convicted.

But there might be small things you or your organization do that could set you up for trouble down the line.