More than 100 years ago, people often used the phrase “square dealing” to describe someone who was honest, fair, and trustworthy. This was a term that was used by our founding members as well. It meant doing business the ‘right way’ — even when no one was watching.
The phrase may sound old-fashioned today, but the idea behind it is still incredibly important.
Every day, people make decisions based on trust. Employers trust employees to do their work honestly. Customers trust businesses to deliver what they promise. Teams trust each other to communicate clearly and follow through. Without trust, even simple things become harder, slower, and more expensive.
That’s why integrity matters so much in leadership.
Being a principled leader does not mean being perfect. It means being dependable. It means telling the truth, taking responsibility, honoring commitments, and treating people fairly — especially when it is easier not to.
A recent supply chain analysis published by Supply Chain Brain explained how trust between businesses can improve efficiency and strengthen partnerships. Companies with strong supplier relationships were able to share information faster, coordinate production changes more effectively, and solve problems collaboratively during disruptions. The article noted that when trust exists between businesses, “the cost to manage the supplier-buyer relationship decreases” while decision-making and problem-solving become faster.
Trust as infrastructure.
That lesson applies far beyond supply chains.
Strong organizations and strong economies both depend on systems where people are expected to act ethically and where accountability exists when they do not. Trust grows when people believe the rules are fair and consistently applied.
For students and young professionals (and experienced professionals!), “square dealing” can show up in simple ways:
- Following through on commitments
- Owning mistakes
- Giving honest credit to others
- Treating people with respect
These actions may seem small, but over time they shape reputations, relationships, and careers, and provide us with opportunities in business – and in life – to build trust one decision at a time.
Source: Supply Chain Brain, “Supplier Trust is Becoming a Critical Success Factor for All Global Supply Chains.”
Values in Action:
Alpha Kappa Psi was founded in 1904 on a bold idea: that business could — and should — be a respected profession defined by character, competence, and accountability.
This blog series is designed to recognize the principles that shape healthy markets, ethical leadership, and long-term prosperity.
The Alpha Kappa Psi founders recognized favoritism and informal networks that often determined opportunity in their era. They held a common belief that business instead should be based on fair pay for fair products and services.
More than a century later, that conviction remains central to AKPsi’s identity. Today, business operates in a complex, fast-moving environment that tests judgment and character. Markets depend on trust. Trust depends on transparency, accountability, and consistent standards. These are not abstract ideals; they are the foundations that allow organizations, communities, and economies to flourish.
Each post in this series begins with brief factual context and interprets contemporary business themes through the lens of business principles, such as Accountability, Integrity, Service, Courage, and Growth.
Values in Action reflects our commitment to developing courageous and principled leaders to succeed in business and to strengthen the systems and institutions that make societal prosperity possible.
