What tone should executive leadership set regarding ethics, integrity and transparency?
Setting an example is just one part of the executive leadership’s responsibility. What leaders say, think and feel affects the tone as much as their actions. Mistrust, cynicism or indifference from topmost leaders can erode others’ loyalty to the organization, to its mission, to employees and to shareholders. Left unchecked, this tone from the top can also potentially push ethical leaders out the door. 7. What does management need from the board of directors and senior leadership to enhance and buttress corporate ethics? Employees who see the governing board and executive leadership as unconcerned will discount any directives about ethics that come from them. Consistency and authenticity from the board and executive leadership play a signal role in establishing an ethics initiative. At a minimum this means providing a reasonable budget of time, talent and money. 8. Who is driving ethics and compliance in the company? The recent American Management Association report The Ethical Enterpr
