Seglin among 2010’s Top 100 Thought Leaders

Jeffrey Seglin, Emerson’s Publishing and Writing Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor of Writing, Literature and Publishing, has been named one of 2010’s Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior by the Trust Across America program.

Known primarily for his strong focus on ethics, Seglin currently writes a weekly syndicated column titled “The Right Thing,” in which he provides readers with situational decision-making advice. Adding to his success are two publications: The Good, the Bad, and Your Business: Choosing Right when Ethical Dilemmas Pull You Apart and The Right Thing: Conscience, Profit and Personal Responsibility in Today’s Business.

“There’s a perception that you can make choices based on instinct, but sometimes when the matter isn’t so black and white, going with gut reactions can have unfortunate results”

–Jeffrey Seglin on Emerson students entering the business world

Seglin was grateful to receive this recognition. The recipients ranged from authors and consultants to researchers, academics, and leaders of the public and private sectors.

Writing and teaching about ethics can be a controversial position, but it’s one that Seglin handles with poise. When instructing others, his main goal is to make them think about their choices and the implications of their actions. Seglin doesn’t consider himself to be more ethical than others, but does acknowledge that a heightened sense of awareness comes with his profusion of work in the field. “I try very hard in classes and writing not to preach,” he said, and it’s apparent when reading his work.

Seglin offers guidance to Emerson students entering the business world: “There’s a perception that you can make choices based on instinct, but sometimes when the matter isn’t so black and white, going with gut reactions can have unfortunate results,” Seglin explained. “Mainly I would encourage students to think through their choices.”