NZ Shareholders Association’s Post

From window dressing to weaponising - how do NZ CEO's elect to demonstrate their ethical leadership? Many remain missing in action while others may claim one thing-while committing to a path that says another. The 'riveting ride' may well surprise but evidence based disclosure will be of interest to investors. #governance #investing #ethicalaudits #responsibleinvesting #ESGinvesting #NZSA #codesofethics #leadership #ethicalleadership

Meet the faculty: Module 4 Professor Chris Cowton - Business Ethics Chris is an Associate at the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE), where he served as Associate Director, 2019-2023. He is also Emeritus Professor at the University of Huddersfield and continues to research, write and speak widely on business, financial and professional ethics. What will the session on business ethics aim to achieve? I designed this module to equip non-specialists with the tools needed to understand ethics at board level. It provides practical guidance, with input from an industry practitioner, on how to make use of ethical concepts in setting strategy. It also discusses integrating them in planning and decision making. Participants will learn: - Ethical decision making, in theory and practice - Building an ethical culture - How to support ethical decision making as a leader Hear what past FLG participants had to say about Chris' session... "I found Chris had a brilliant way of relaying information in a relaxed way" "I loved the open discussion and expanding connections"

The Decline of Business Ethics: Why We Need a Change 📉 The importance of ethics in business is more critical now than ever, yet signs point to a troubling trend: a decline in ethical standards across industries. It’s a complex issue that’s evolved over time, but as a thought-provoking Harvard Business Review article from 1993 argued, ethics in business should be foundational—not a nice-to-have or something to sidestep in pursuit of profit. This classic article (attached) from 30 years ago, “What’s the Matter with Business Ethics?” highlighted the gap between ethical theory and practical application. At the time, there was a growing awareness that companies must do more than maximize shareholder value; they had to consider stakeholders, communities, and employees in their decision-making processes. The argument still holds true—and might be even more relevant today. While business schools, leaders, and organizations have done more to promote ethical practices, the message sometimes gets lost amid the pressures of quarterly targets and competitive markets. It’s a sobering reminder that ethics isn’t an “extra,” but a core element of sustainable success. As professionals, we must work to uphold and demand higher standards, advocate for ethical policies, and practice integrity in all areas. Let's commit to re-elevating ethics to its rightful place in business. #BusinessEthics #CorporateResponsibility #Leadership #SustainableSuccess

”One of the problems with ethics can be how to validate what is ethical. This can be a challenge with values, if there is no critical analysis as to whether they still benefit us in this day and age”. (HUMANGOOD, a field guide to ethical leadership). The dilemma facing us in our own relativist cultures is that they offer very few norms or guidelines for what constitutes good or bad behaviour. In most spheres of life, we need to mould and articulate our values through self-examination and informed thoughtfulness. We need to ponder not only what we are like, but who we want to be. In other words, we need to create our own guideposts for important decisions - our own ethical, as well as emotional, criteria for choice. When it comes to surfacing such personal exploration of what ‘ethics’ means to self, and to shifting from the act of introspection into applying our personal beliefs to a business or a new venture, there are great tools available out there to support you on the journey. Transparency International NZ (https://lnkd.in/g3sSgBx6) and the UK Institute of Business Ethics (https://www.ibe.org.uk/) offer useful guidance and tools to design business ethics frameworks. There are various ways to go about it, but one essential design principle is to create a range of integrated systems throughout your organisation. These systems include the link between business strategy and ethical values, mechanisms for training, communications and monitoring, and more. Below is an example to get you started. HUMANGOOD is a collection of articles and practical research from leading New Zealanders, which unpacks the role ethics has in business today. We curated advice and guidance that are relevant to all organisations, regardless of their size, industry and legal form. https://lnkd.in/gcvSeXZ7 #business #ethics #frameworks #leadership #codeofconduct #codeofethics

The Society for Business Ethics has recently made an exciting resource available – a collection of pioneer interviews in business ethics, now accessible in the University of Illinois archives. This collection features insights from renowned scholars such as R. Edward Freeman, Thomas Donaldson, and Gerry Cavanaugh, whom I had the privilege of meeting at the University of Detroit Mercy College of Business Administration before his passing in 2022. These interviews are invaluable for business students and scholars alike, providing a wealth of knowledge and historical context in the field of business ethics. It would be even more enriching if future additions could include interviews with respected figures like Domènec Melé, Joan Fontrodona, and Antonino Vaccaro from the Business Ethics Department at IESE Business School, whose contributions to global business ethics have gained widespread recognition. This series is a must-explore for anyone passionate about the evolution and impact of ethical practices in business. Let's spread the word and ensure it reaches all those who could benefit from these profound insights. The interviews could be access here: https://lnkd.in/gBix2duK #BusinessEthics #EthicalLeadership #ScholarlyResearch

📢 As a member of the UT Center for Leadership and Ethics Council, I receive updates on the new FREE ethics content that UT is creating for leaders and organizations that I wanted to share. New modules are available now! 🚀 UT’s Ethics Unwrapped offers a fantastic, FREE educational program that integrates the latest ethics research from top experts and creativity to make some really engaging learning about ethics. 🙌 These short video modules are being used by hundreds of businesses and organizations, and are open to everyone. The training focuses on the real-world application of behavioral ethics, equipping future leaders with essential tools to lead with integrity. This training goes beyond traditional philosophy, drawing from diverse fields like psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. It sheds light on the internal biases and external pressures influencing ethical decision-making in everyday life. I wanted to share this amazing resource because this topic is so critical for business today, and I know teams often don’t have the resources or funding to invest in ethics training. 🔥 Get them while they are hot! 🔥 Let me know what you think of the modules if you use them with your team! #UT #UTCLE #ethics #leadership #management #utaustin #longhorns

Today is Global Ethics Day—an initiative that began 11 years ago through the vision of the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs. As a global leadership scholar writing a dissertation on ethical decision-making, I believe it is important to continue beating the drum on behalf of ethics and prompt organizations to adopt a code of ethics or moral compass that can help their leaders and team members make decisions that are sustainable, fair, and with wide benefit to everyone. As a Rotarian, I know we have the closest thing to a universal ethical code supported by more than 1.4 million people across more than 200 countries. These are the professionals who call themselves Rotarians and live by the moral compass of the Four-Way Test—which states that before we think, say, or do something, it is important to consider these four questions: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Is it beneficial to all concerned? Join me in supporting Global Ethics Day and encourage those you lead to be ethical in their daily actions and management—and if you are a leader, then encourage your followers and teams to do the same. While it may be impossible to make everyone act ethically, we can win over the conscience of those who want to become global leaders and professionals in their field to ensure our future has more subscribers committed to ethical decision-making. #globalethicsday #globalleadership #ethics #ethicaldecisionmaking #global #international #rotary #fourwaytest #moralcompass Learn more about Global Ethics Day here: https://lnkd.in/e8RURJri

IBE’s Ethics at Work 2024 country reports are now out! This triennial survey of employees in 16 countries provides valuable insights into ethical leadership and culture. Comparing the results of employees’ line manager’s ethical commitment in Australia, Brazil, Germany and New Zealand: ‘My line manager sets a good example of ethical business behaviour’ ⬆ Employees in Australia, Brazil and New Zealand are above the global average in agreeing with this statement. ⬇Germany is below the global average. ‘My line manager explains the importance of ethics in the work we do’. ⬆ Employees in Australia, Brazil and Germany are above the global average in agreeing with this statement. ⬇New Zealand is below the global average. ‘My line manager supports me in following my organisation’s standards of ethical behaviour’ ⬆ Employees in Australia, Brazil and New Zealand are above the global average in agreeing with this statement. ⬇Germany is below the global average. But ‘My line manager rewards employees who get good results, even if they use practices that are ethically questionable’. ⬆ Employees in Australia and Brazil are above the global average in agreeing with this statement. ⬇Germany and New Zealand are below the global average. Thanks to the New Zealand national partner for the survey, The Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership, Aritahi, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Karin Lasthuizen notes that ‘surveyed NZ employees seem dissatisfied with the ways in which ethics programmes are applied and followed in practice’. To find out more, read the country reports now! Australia https://lnkd.in/enh6F3zC Brazil https://lnkd.in/e3R4Z2hB Germany https://lnkd.in/e-cHb3c3 New Zealand https://lnkd.in/eearYpVy 🌐Global report https://lnkd.in/dHyaM-Sm #businessethics #EthicsAtWork #IBESurvey

🌟 Today was all about ethics at the "A Foundation for Success, featuring Alumni Conversations" event! 🚀 This presentation supported by Mary and Joseph Stieven inspired me and encouraged me to think more about ethics and how to reflect and understand ethical behaviors at work and in your everyday life. 💡 Let me share some key takeaways from Sandra Van Trease that got me thinking: 🤝 Ethics serves as a powerful tool in resolving and preventing social conflicts. Understanding that ethics cultivates respect, which then builds trust and strong leadership connections. Trust is important for leading well because it's like the foundation that helps you make a big impact and have influence. 🦸♂️ 🔍 In ethics, 'Respect' is paramount. It's not just about how you act with people, but also about understanding their behaviors and how they reflect their values. Active listening is crucial in ethical conduct, as it provides insights into how individuals communicate, their attitudes toward others, and enables effective leadership decisions based on this understanding. 🦸♀️ ⚖️ Acting as an ethical leader brings you to dilemmas and choices to make. Choose between Honesty vs Loyalty. Individual vs Community (own interests/interests of the community), Short-term vs Long-term, Justice vs Mercy, Privacy vs Transparency (respecting privacy/being transparent in a situation) 💼 🌱 Finally, let’s talk about “Embracing Ethical Behavior”. You can act ethically by considering the impact of your choices and reflecting on your values. Integrating ethics into your daily life can leads to fulfillment and positive societal impact. 🌍 🎓 Huge thanks to my management professor, John Meriac for the invitation, and to the University of Missouri-Saint Louis for organizing this insightful event! Let's keep learning about ethics! 💼 #EthicsDay #Leadership #ValuesMatter 🚀

"If ethics were only for #businesses, would that mean it’s okay to toss trash out of your car window?" This thought-provoking question highlights a fundamental truth: #ethics permeates every aspect of our lives, not just the corporate world. Ethics, the moral #principles that guide our behavior, are about doing what is right, even when no one is watching. Ethics often feels like a clear-cut choice between right and wrong but in reality, it’s more complicated. It doesn’t just apply to #business or #leadership decisions; it’s woven into our daily lives. From how we dispose of plastics and nylon in public spaces to the way we treat others, ethics shapes the choices we make every day. Since I started my journey with ethics in 2016, I’ve become passionate about exploring its complexities and driving meaningful change. For me, ethical leadership goes beyond doing the 'right' thing in organizations, it extends to the small acts of integrity and responsibility that everyone can practice. As I aspire to become Nigeria's first #Professor of Ethical Leadership, my mission is to encourage everyone to embrace ethics in all areas of life. 👇 So, here’s my challenge for you: What would happen if we approached every decision big or small with an ethical mindset? Feel free to share! I am #FlourishingFlora 💃💃 I change mindsets, one mind at a time! Connect with FLORA GABTONY (Flourishing Flora) Nwachinemere 1 of Ebenile, let's learn together.