The corporate scandals over the past four or five years have given the general public the impression that all corporate executives are greedy, selfish, and narcissistic, looking out only for their own personal bottom lines.

While it is true that it takes a lot of what could be considered negative personal characteristics to be a top executive within corporate America, there are some executives (and hence their corporations) who have used their positions to do good for society.

Bill Gates

Microsoft has been called an evil empire. On one hand, it does deserve that reputation, with its control over the computer software market and the expectations that employees dedicate most of their waking hours to their job. On the other hand, Bill Gates has shared his wealth with his employees and with needy people around the world. He initiated stock shares for his employees, creating what is known as the Microsoft Millionaire. He and his wife have also donated billions of dollars to charitable organizations, including their own foundations, as they try to use their good financial fortunes to help make the world a better place to live.

Best Places to Work

The corporations that provide the best work atmosphere are ones that should be considered as corporate good guys. These are companies run by men and women who care about the well-being of their employees. Corporations like Wegmans, which has taken over the top spot on Fortune’s list of best corporations to work for, have CEOs or owners who are accessible to their employees. They don’t hide in their corner office suites but come down to the areas where the regular employees work. Some of the executives will even get their hands dirty, chipping in with job duties. This type of executive believes keeping in touch with the employees at the lowest levels of the company will make for the best work environment. It keeps the management in touch with the real issues within the company.

Trust and honesty are two characteristics that employees look for when asked what makes a good corporate executive. In these days of corporate scandals, an honest and trust-worthy executive might make all the difference in the way a corporation is viewed, both by the employees and the general public.