History Main / HonestCorporateExecutive

* [[spoiler:Sulley]] becomes one at the end of ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' by finding a more practical energy source derived from making children happy instead of scaring them.

* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'': [[BigGood David Sarif]] is no angel and is certainly [[GoodIsNotSoft not afraid to use his wealth, charisma, and power to further his own goals]]. However, he is shown to [[BenevolentBoss care deeply about his employees]], goes above and beyond to [[QualityOverQuantity make quality products]], has made an amazingly effective attempt to rebuild the devastated economy of 2020s UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}}, and genuinely believes in [[TheSingularity uplifting humanity through augmentation]], epitomized by the billions he spends on research into making his single most profitable product, Neuropozyne(the [[PhlebotinumDependence Phlebotinum all augs are Dependent on]]), obsolete. This obviously makes him ''far'' more ethical than his [[AncientConspiracy adversaries]], especially [[spoiler:[[CorruptCorporateExecutive Zhao Yun Ru]]]]. Notable in that the aforementioned corrupt rival ''is'' [[BetterLivingThroughEvil doing much better than he is]]; not only do they [[QuantityVsQuality dominate the market by cutting corners on products]] and [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney spending the money on lawyers and bribes instead]], [[spoiler :''[[PredatoryBusiness acquire rival businesses]] by [[CorporateWarfare having mercs shoot up their facilities]]'' and '''[[VillainWithGoodPublicity frame him for unethical experiments while keeping her own well-hidden]]''' -- but his government contacts all but openly admit that '''''[[{{Realpolitik}} they're spying on him for her because they don't think he'll win.]]''''']]

* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'': [[BigGood David Sarif]] is no angel and is certainly [[GoodIsNotSoft not afraid to use his wealth, charisma, and power to further his own goals]]. However, he is shown to [[BenevolentBoss care deeply about his employees]], goes above and beyond to [[QualityOverQuantity make quality products]], has made an amazingly effective attempt to rebuild the devastated economy of 2020s UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}}, and genuinely believes in [[TheSingularity uplifting humanity through augmentation]], epitomized by the billions he spends on research into making his single most profitable product, Neuropozyne(the [[PhlebotinumDependence Phlebotinum all augs are Dependent on]]), obsolete. This obviously makes him ''far'' more ethical than his [[AncientConspiracy adversaries]], especially [[spoiler:[[CorruptCorporateExecutive Zhao Yun Ru]]]]. Notable in that the aforementioned corrupt rival ''is'' [[BetterLivingThroughEvil doing much better than he is]]; not only do they [[QuantityVsQuality dominate the market by cutting corners on products]] and [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney spending the money on lawyers and bribes instead]], [[spoiler:''[[PredatoryBusiness acquire rival businesses]] by [[CorporateWarfare having mercs shoot up their facilities]]'' and '''[[VillainWithGoodPublicity frame him for unethical experiments while keeping her own well-hidden]]''' -- but his government contacts all but openly admit that '''''[[{{Realpolitik}} they're spying on him for her because they don't think he'll win.]]''''']]

* ''Anime/YuGiOh'': Despite jokes thanks to the Abridged Series, Seto Kaiba becomes one of these after Yami beats the evil out of him in the Death-T arc. Even before then, his entire backstory centered on him taking a weapons company and dismantling it to break into making games for children. His adoptive father, Gozaburo, while an [[AbusiveDad abusive bastard at home]], also seems to have been one, if in the morally dubious field of arms dealing. This makes for a contrast with the [=KaibaCorp=] board of directors, The Big Five, Duelist Kingdom BigBad Maximillion Pegasus, and [=KaibaCorp=] Grand Prix BigBad Siegfried von Schroeder, all of whom are willing to be as [[CorruptCorporateExecutive underhanded as possible]] to make a profit.

The question then becomes: if he or she succeeds, then how do they do it without being a predatory "shark"? It could be all that positive public relations messages are translating into repeat customers. Perhaps he's a BenevolentBoss who attracts and retains high-quality employees. Maybe his success lies in making every effort to outdo his rivals by providing better products and services than they do. [[SpiritedCompetitor The spirit of competition drives him to excel.]] There's also the possibility that even though the [=HCE=] may be a good person, [[GoodIsNotSoft he still plays hardball]] in his business operations. He might not try to sabotage his competition or cheat his customers, but if he spots a loophole in a contract you sign with him, he will have ''no'' issues using it to maximum effect. Finally, he could stay ahead of the curve [[TheWonka by living on the line between genius and insanity]].

He will likely be contrasted with his EvilCounterpart, the CorruptCorporateExecutive, and the differences in their approaches could be a central theme of the work. In the poorly handled cases, the Corrupt executive can turn into a CardCarryingVillain or making the Honest executive's business savvy an InformedAttribute. (After all, even if the corrupt executive is motivated purely by greed, you would think he wouldn't KickTheDog unless it was profitable.)

If the honest executive is doing better, it could be because he's a more talented businessman, whereas the less-talented Corrupt exec needs to "cheat" to succeed. It's also possible that the Corrupt executive gets ahead through cheating or otherwise being unethical to achieve more immediate success, but the Honest executive [[CheatersNeverProsper wins in the long run]] because his customers prefer his dependability and/or his [[VillainousDemotivator employees are more motivated.]] In this way, the Honest demonstrates the distinction of EnlightenedSelfInterest.

Often (but not necessarily) also a ReasonableAuthorityFigure, UnclePennybags, and/or a BenevolentBoss. If he's part of the minority in his organization that is trying to resist the rest's [[CorruptCorporateExecutive rampant corruption]], he would probably be also an InternalReformist or a flavor of AntiVillain. If he's [[WhatYouAreInTheDark given the chance to act corrupt]], expect him to say ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules. May teach AnAesop that GoodPaysBetter. He may also be SympatheticSlaveOwner if he does have slaves working for him.

** Peter Parker himself also falls under this in his very brief time as the head of the international multi-concern "Parker Industries" during [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManDanSlott Dan Slott's run on the character]]. He tried to handle business fair and act as a BenevelontBoss. However, sadly the company was soon taken down by [[Characters/MarvelComicsOttoOctavius Otto Octavius a.k.a. the Superior Octopus]].

* Scrooge [=McDuck=] of ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'', both [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987 original]] and [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017 reboot]], is proud that every red cent of his fortune was earned square.

* Scrooge [=McDuck=] of ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' is proud that every red cent of his fortune was earned square.

* Director Khalid Al-Ashgar, the leader of Project Exodus in ''VideoGame/TerraInvicta''. What ethical lines he does cross are more [[IDidWhatIHadTo in pursuit of his ideological goals]] rather than any desire for profit.