The Butterfly Effect:

How Bill Carlson’s Journey Transformed Ethics Training

From time to time we come across someones story and are captured by its simplicity, humor, and the message it delivers. I followed Bill Carlson’s work on happiness, well-being, or what some may just call live, and it moved me. I’m sharing this here as a friendly reminder to give consideration to what drives you.

Bill path to understanding ethical behavior took an unexpected turn through the federal prison system. What emerged from this experience wasn’t just another ethics program, but a profound insight into why people compromise their values in pursuit of happiness — what he calls “chasing butterflies.”

Through his work teaching the “Bitter or Better” course in prison, Carlson uncovered a crucial connection between external validation and ethical compromise. He points to the NASACT 10/80/10 rule, which suggests that while 10% of people consistently act ethically and another 10% actively seek unethical opportunities, the majority — 80% — may drift into unethical behavior under pressure. Carlson’s insight? This drift often occurs when people chase external sources of happiness.

The breakthrough in Carlson’s approach is the HOGA framework (Honesty, Openness, Gratitude, Awareness) he developed. Unlike traditional ethics training that focuses on rules and compliance, HOGA addresses the root cause of unethical behavior: the persistent pursuit of external validation. His work demonstrates that when individuals focus on internal fulfillment rather than chasing “butterflies” like status, wealth, or power, they naturally make more ethical choices.

What makes Carlson’s perspective particularly valuable is its foundation in real-world experience. His framework wasn’t developed in a classroom or corporate boardroom, but through direct observation of how individuals rebuild their ethical compass after significant lapses in judgment. This practical origin lends credibility to his assertion that true ethical behavior stems from internal contentment rather than external compliance.

The implications for organizational ethics training are significant: perhaps we’ve been approaching ethics backwards, focusing on preventing bad behavior instead of nurturing the internal conditions that promote good decisions.

Bill’s blog series can be found here: https://www.thebillcarlson.com/blog