The Human Factor: Corporate Integrity Matters

In this conversation, Evie Wentink and Sonja Stirnimann discuss the critical role of integrity and ethics in leadership and corporate culture. She emphasizes the importance of engaging employees at all levels in understanding the value of ethics and compliance, and how it translates to better business outcomes. The discussion also highlights the need for courage in leadership, the importance of se...

This conversation delves into the critical role of integrity in leadership and business practices. Marco Grueter shares personal experiences and insights on the challenges of maintaining integrity in corporate environments, the importance of transparency, and how integrity can serve as a competitive advantage. The discussion also touches on the evolving expectations of investors regarding ethical...

In this conversation, Dr. Anja Seele and Sonja Stirnimann discuss the critical role of emotions in compliance, the challenges of overregulation, and the importance of aligning corporate policies with organizational values. She emphasizes the need for genuine compliance rather than mere box-ticking, using the car policy as a case study to illustrate how internal rules can impact corporate culture....

In this engaging conversation, Sonja Stirnimann and Joanna Kleinmann, a renowned psychotherapist and leadership coach, discuss the critical role of personal integrity in both individual and organizational success. Joanna emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and the human factor in leadership, arguing that true transformation begins within. The dialogue explores how personal gro...

In this conversation Sonja Stirnimann and Nick Gallo, co-CEO of Ethico, discuss the multifaceted nature of integrity in business, emphasizing its importance beyond mere compliance. They explore the interplay between individual and corporate integrity, the role of culture in fostering ethical behaviour, and the challenges leaders face in maintaining integrity under pressure. Nick Gallo shares perso...

In this conversation, Melanie Shong discusses the evolving role of HR in corporate integrity and ethical leadership. She emphasizes the need for HR professionals to reassess their approach to decision-making, the importance of understanding business needs, and the challenges they face in hiring practices. Melanie advocates for creativity in problem-solving and the necessity of asking the right que...

In this integrity talk, Sonja Stirnimann and Martine Richmann discuss the intersection of digital transformation, corporate integrity, and the ethical implications of AI adoption. They explore the necessity of having a clear digital strategy, the importance of guidelines for ethical AI implementation, and the role of leadership in fostering a culture of integrity within organizations. The discussi...

In this final episode of the year, Sonja Stirnimann emphasizes the importance of reflection in leadership, particularly during the busy month of December. She encourages leaders to assess their integrity, resilience, and ethical clarity, and to consider how they can improve their decision-making and presence in the coming year. The conversation highlights the need for closure and meaningful reflec...

In this conversation, Salih Ahmed Islam discusses the critical role of internal audit in organizations, emphasizing the importance of effective communication with management and the board. He shares insights on the challenges faced by internal auditors, the necessity of board support, and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on auditing practices. Salih also highlights the delicate balance b...

In this episode, Sonja Stirnimann discusses the critical theme of responsibility in leadership, particularly during the high-pressure month of November. She emphasizes that responsibility is not merely a value or vision statement but a reality that leaders must own. The episode explores the emotional weight of decision-making, the importance of clarity in accountability, and the need for ethical l...

This deep session with Maya Bundt and Sonja Stirnmann delves into the intricacies of cybersecurity board reporting, focusing on a newly developed framework aimed at bridging the gap between operational and strategic governance. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding organizational maturity, risk levels, and the specific needs of different companies in crafting effective cybersec...

In this deep dive session Maya Bundt and Sonja Stirnimann discuss the findings from research on cybersecurity board reporting, emphasizing the importance of board-level governance and the need for strategic discussions on cybersecurity. The conversation highlights the challenges in current reporting practices, including the high level of aggregation of information and the lack of standardization....

This deep dive session with Maya Bundt and Sonja Stirnimann delves into the intricacies of cybersecurity board reporting, highlighting the research process, challenges faced, insights gained from board member interviews, and the importance of frameworks in enhancing communication between boards and executive teams. The discussion emphasizes the need for transparency and informed dialogue in cybers...

In this episode Sonja Stirnimann explores the concept of shadow governance, the informal influences that shape decision-making in organizations. It highlights the risks associated with unacknowledged power dynamics and the importance of transparency and trust in leadership. The discussion emphasizes the need for board members and executives to recognize and address these hidden influences to ensur...

In this conversation, Sonja Stirnimann talks to Melody Moore about the importance of corporate integrity and how it shapes leadership. They explore the clash between personal and corporate integrity, the impact of cognitive dissonance on decision-making, and the need for authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. The discussion also touches on the challenges of toxic environments, accountabilit...

In this episode Sonja Stirnimann discusses the critical role of integrity in leadership decision-making, especially during strategic resets in September. She emphasizes that integrity should not just be a value but a decision filter, as financial stress can lead to prioritizing speed over ethical considerations. The episode highlights the importance of embedding integrity into goals and decision r...

In this conversation, Sonja Stirnimann interviews Maja Bundt, a prominent figure in cybersecurity and corporate governance. They discuss the importance of integrity in leadership, the challenges of identifying blind spots in risk management, and the personal experiences that shape one's ethical choices. Maja shares insights on the dynamics of the boardroom, the need to listen to diverse perspectiv...

In this episode Sonia Stirnimann discusses the often-overlooked concept of 'silent risk' in corporate integrity. She emphasizes that integrity and ethical leadership are crucial for resilience and reputation, especially during stable periods when organizations may neglect to challenge their assumptions. She provides reflection prompts for leaders to identify potential silent risks and stresses the...

Gitte Gundrup co-founded an AI consultancy and discusses in our today’s interview with Sonja Stirnimann the intersection of AI, corporate integrity and ethical leadership. She highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with AI, the need for AI literacy among board members, and ethical considerations in AI projects. Gitte shares insights on navigating personal integrity during...

In this episode Sonja Stirnimann delves into the concept of governance fatigue, a subtle yet dangerous decline in oversight and strategic engagement within organizations. She explains how governance fatigue manifests in boardrooms and offers practical solutions for leaders to combat this issue, emphasizing the importance of active questioning and maintaining a culture of integrity. Takeaways • Gov...

Sonja Stirnimann interviews Patrick, an expert on business models and corporate integrity, in this fascinating conversation. They explore the importance of understanding customer value, the role of values in business and the need for ethical leadership. Patrick shares insights from his extensive experience and emphasises the importance of creating a culture that fosters open communication and acco...

In this episode, Sonja Stirnimann discusses the critical need for crisis-experienced leaders in today's complex and volatile environment. She emphasizes that while crises reveal character, they also highlight the importance of ethical decision-making and integrity. The episode outlines essential skills for building crisis resilience, such as calm self-regulation and transparent communication, and...

In this conversation, Andrea Bonime-Blanc discusses ethics in leadership and corporate integrity, especially in her new book on technology governance. She emphasises understanding governance's megatrends, leaders' challenges in staying ethical in fast-changing environments, and the need to recognise corporate governance blind spots. She shares experiences of navigating integrity under pressure and...

After an extended pause, the podcast "The Human Factor: Corporate Integrity Matters" is back - more anchored than ever in our mission to give a voice to integrity and ethical leadership. In this special solo episode, Sonja Stirnimann reflects and invites you to continue building a future where integrity builds resilience, the human factor and values guide leadership decisions. Welcome back to the...

Today's guest in my integrity talk is Rupert Evill. Rupert shares his experience – seeing what works in high-stakes frontline situations – to help organisations better predict, prevent, and respond to risks. Rupert is the founder of Ethics Insight and has more than 20 years of experience managing risks across 30 sectors and 50+ countries. He worked in roles focused on investigations, counter-terro...