Tag: tone at the top

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Transforming Toxic Cultures

Where does creativity fit into compliance? In more places than you think. Problem-solving, accountability, communication, and connection—all require creativity. Join Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman on Creativity and Compliance, part of the award-winning Compliance Podcast Network.

Ronnie’s company, Learnings and Entertainment, uses the entertainment platforms that people engage with in their everyday, non-work lives and applies them to important topics related to compliance and ethics. It’s not just about being funny; it’s about changing the tone of compliance communications and messaging to make compliance programs, policies, and resources more accessible. In this episode of Creativity and Compliance, hosts Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman discuss the concept of nudges in compliance.

In this episode, Tom and Ronnie take a deep dive into the complexities of transforming a broken and toxic corporate culture, using Boeing’s recent challenges as a case study. Feldman addresses the pitfalls of traditional compliance training and emphasizes the need for fostering a supportive culture where employees feel psychologically safe and empowered to speak up. He highlights the importance of rebranding compliance departments to create a more positive and approachable image. They also stress the crucial role of leadership in driving cultural change and the value of authentic communication and creativity in compliance initiatives. The episode underscores the necessity of addressing cultural issues openly and authentically to build trust and facilitate meaningful change within organizations.

Key Highlights:

  • Addressing a Toxic Culture
  • The Importance of Authenticity
  • Starting from Scratch

Resources:

Ronnie

  • Learnings & Entertainments (Website)
  • Compliance Confessions – inspired by “Mean Tweets” these 90-second commercials address misconceptions and excuses to promote speak up culture and the E&C team as positive and helpful.
  • E&C Training Jams – a soulful singer banters with ethics & compliance explaining policies, sharing examples and debunking excuses. 
  • Tales from the Hotline – Real speak up-themed stories about workplace behavior gone wrong.
  • Workplace Tonight Show! – E&C meets SNL Weekend Update explaining corporate risk topics and why employees should care.
  • 60-Second Communication & Awareness Shorts – A variety of short, customizable, music and multimedia, quick-hitter “commercials” promoting integrity, compliance, speaking up and the E&C team as helpful advisors and coaches.
  • Custom Live & Digital Programing – Custom creative programming that balances the seriousness of the subject matter with a more engaging delivery. After all, you can’t bore people into learning.

Tom

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Blog

Tone at the Top Week: Part 5 – CCOs Using Town Halls to Build Compliance

This week, we have been exploring how Chief Executive Officers and other senior executives can set an appropriate Tone at the Top by actually walking-the-walk of compliance rather than simply talking-the-talk of compliance. For any corporate compliance program to succeed, the commitment of senior leadership is essential. When establishing and maintaining the right Tone at the Top, few opportunities are as effective and personal as town hall meetings.

Town halls provide CEOs and senior executives with a direct platform to engage with employees across the organization, offering an authentic way to reinforce the importance of compliance. Unlike emails or formal reports, town halls allow real-time interaction, allowing leadership to connect directly with employees and make compliance a part of the company’s culture.

In this concluding blog post from this 5-part series, we will explore how CEOs and other corporate leaders can use town hall meetings to establish and maintain an appropriate tone at the top for a best practices compliance program. From including compliance in every meeting to addressing specific ethical challenges and fostering open dialogue, these strategies will help create a culture where compliance is seen as a shared responsibility and a driver of long-term success.

  • Include Compliance in Every Town Hall

One of the most effective ways to reinforce the importance of compliance is to make it a regular topic of discussion in every town hall meeting. Whether covering updates on regulatory changes, sharing new company policies, or discussing recent compliance issues, consistently integrating compliance into your messaging demonstrates that it is a key part of the company’s business strategy.

The obvious significance is that when compliance is a constant in company communications, employees start to understand that it is not a separate, siloed responsibility but a core element of the business’s operations. Regularly addressing compliance issues signals to employees that ethical behavior is as critical to the company’s success as financial performance or market expansion.

How to Implement

  • Dedicate a section of each town hall to discussing compliance. This could include updates on new business regulations, how the company adapts to changing legal landscapes, or reminders of key compliance policies.
  • Use the platform to highlight how compliance contributes to business objectives. For example, explain how maintaining compliance with environmental regulations helps the company avoid penalties while supporting sustainability goals.
  • Regularly including compliance topics also shows that leadership views compliance as proactive rather than reactive and that ethical behavior is a forward-thinking component of company strategy.

By consistently including compliance in town hall discussions, you reinforce its value and ensure it stays at the top of employees’ minds.

  • Address Specific Ethical Challenges

Town halls are an ideal venue to address specific compliance or ethical challenges the company may be facing. Whether dealing with emerging regulatory risks, handling a recent compliance breach, or navigating ethical dilemmas in high-stakes business decisions, discussing these issues openly with employees helps build trust and foster transparency.

It is not so much that employees need to know that leadership is aware of compliance challenges and actively working to address them. Discussing these challenges openly sends a message that compliance is a shared responsibility across the organization. This approach also helps demystify the compliance process and shows employees that issues are handled systematically and transparently.

How to Implement

  • When a new compliance challenge emerges—whether it’s a change in industry regulations, a data privacy issue, or a new ethical dilemma in business operations—use the town hall to explain the issue clearly. Describe what the company is doing to address it and what is expected of employees to help navigate the challenge.
  • Emphasize that compliance is not just the responsibility of the legal or compliance team but requires every employee’s involvement. This ensures that compliance issues are not seen as external or distant from day-to-day operations.
  • Consider sharing examples of companies or industries where a failure to address ethical challenges led to significant risks or damages. This helps illustrate the real-world consequences of neglecting compliance.

By openly addressing specific ethical challenges, you build a culture of accountability in which employees feel empowered to participate in compliance efforts.

  • Invite Questions About Compliance

One of the most powerful aspects of town hall meetings is their interactive nature. Inviting employees to ask questions about compliance-related topics shows that leadership is open to dialogue and committed to resolving concerns. This openness encourages a culture where employees feel safe raising potential compliance issues and know their voices will be heard.

As I have said many times, the flip side to a culture of speaking up is a culture of listening up. Nothing shows this better than soliciting questions at a town hall, for encouraging questions demonstrates compliance as a collaborative effort. It shows employees that leadership values their input and is willing to engage in a two-way conversation about ethical issues. This is especially important for fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting concerns, knowing that leadership will take them seriously.

How to Implement

  • Set aside time during each town hall for a Q&A session focused on compliance. Let employees know they are welcome to ask about compliance issues related to company policies, regulatory changes, or ethical dilemmas.
  • Ensure that responses to compliance-related questions are thoughtful and demonstrate a commitment to transparency. If an employee raises a concern, provide an actionable response or explain how the company will investigate further.
  • Follow up after the town hall on any unresolved questions. This shows that leadership is committed to addressing compliance concerns beyond the meeting and reinforces trust.

Inviting questions and engaging in meaningful dialogue helps build a culture of openness and encourages employees to take an active role in compliance.

  • Highlight Compliance Success Stories

Town halls also provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate successes. By sharing stories of how compliance actions have helped the company avoid risks or achieve positive outcomes, you reinforce the idea that compliance is a value driver, not a burden. Highlighting these stories shows employees that compliance is not just about avoiding penalties but enabling the company to thrive in a complex regulatory environment.

This is one of the time-honored ways to build incentives in an organization. Sharing success stories helps build employee buy-in and engagement with the compliance program. When employees see the tangible benefits of compliance, they are more likely to view it as a positive and necessary part of their work. This also helps combat the perception that compliance is simply about limiting risk or avoiding punishment.

How to Implement

  • Use town halls to share specific examples of compliance successes. For instance, you might highlight how the company avoided a regulatory fine by proactively addressing a compliance risk or how strong compliance practices helped secure a valuable business partnership.
  • Frame compliance successes in a way that shows how they contribute to broader company goals, such as market expansion, reputation management, or innovation.
  • Recognize the individuals or teams who contributed to these compliance successes. This public recognition reinforces that the organization values and rewards ethical behavior.

You highlight compliance success stories and demonstrate that compliance drives long-term value and growth.

  • Building a Strong Compliance Culture Through Town Halls

Town hall meetings are one of the most powerful tools CEOs and senior executives can use to establish and maintain an appropriate tone at the top for a best practices compliance program. By including compliance in every meeting, addressing specific ethical challenges, inviting questions, and sharing success stories, leaders can foster a culture where compliance is not just a requirement but a shared responsibility and a source of competitive advantage.

When employees hear directly from leadership about the importance of compliance, they are more likely to internalize the message and make ethical behavior part of their daily work. Through regular and open communication in town halls, CEOs can build a strong compliance culture that drives long-term success for the organization.

I hope you have enjoyed and found this five-part series on Tone at the Top. Equally importantly, I hope this more outline format will allow you to cut and paste this information into a Memo you can send to your CEO and other senior executives to give them some concrete steps they can take to improve your organization’s culture so that your organization will do business ethically and in compliance. Additionally, it will give you an audit trail on this issue if a regulator ever comes knocking.

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Compliance Tip of the Day

Compliance Tip of the Day: How A CEO Can Set The Tone at The Top with Town Halls

Welcome to “Compliance Tip of the Day,” the podcast where we bring you daily insights and practical advice on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned compliance professional or just starting your journey, our aim is to provide you with bite-sized, actionable tips to help you stay on top of your compliance game.

Join us as we explore the latest industry trends, share best practices, and demystify complex compliance issues to keep your organization on the right side of the law.

Tune in daily for your dose of compliance wisdom, and let’s make compliance a little less daunting, one tip at a time.

Today we review how a CEO can use the power of a Town Hall to set the right ‘tone at the top’ for any compliance program.

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Compliance Tip of the Day

Compliance Tip of the Day: How A CEO Can Set The Tone at The Top with Email

Welcome to “Compliance Tip of the Day,” the podcast where we bring you daily insights and practical advice on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned compliance professional or just starting your journey, our aim is to provide you with bite-sized, actionable tips to help you stay on top of your compliance game.

Join us as we explore the latest industry trends, share best practices, and demystify complex compliance issues to keep your organization on the right side of the law.

Tune in daily for your dose of compliance wisdom, and let’s make compliance a little less daunting, one tip at a time.

Today we consider how a CEO can use the power of the humble email to set the right ‘tone at the top’ for any compliance program.

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Blog

Tone at the Top Week: Part 4 – CCOs Using Team Meetings to Further Compliance

We continue our blog post series on how CEOs and top senior executives can demonstrate the ubiquitous Tone at the Top. Setting the tone of doing business ethically and in compliance is one of the most critical responsibilities for CEOs and senior executives. While large-scale communications such as town halls and corporate-wide emails certainly play an essential role, there is one venue where the tone can be effectively set in a more actionable and intimate way: team meetings.

Team meetings, often focused on operational topics, provide a unique opportunity for leaders to engage directly with their teams on compliance matters. These smaller, more focused settings allow meaningful discussions about ethical behavior, compliance risks, and policy adherence. By strategically incorporating compliance into team meetings, executives can ensure that ethical considerations are baked into daily operations and decision-making processes. This post will explore how CEOs and senior leaders can leverage team meetings to reinforce compliance and establish the right tone at the top.

  • Make Compliance a Standing Agenda Item in Leadership Team Meetings

Leadership team meetings often involve high-level business strategy, performance metrics, and operational objectives. However, these meetings are also an opportunity to highlight the importance of compliance. Senior executives and department heads are role models within the organization. When they treat compliance as a priority in their discussions, it signals to their teams that ethical behavior and adherence to the law are non-negotiable elements of the company’s operations.

How to Implement

  • Ensure that compliance is a standing agenda item in leadership team meetings. This could include updates on compliance program initiatives, discussions of recent compliance risks, or analysis of how regulatory changes might impact the business.
  • Encourage leaders to cascade these compliance messages to their direct reports, ensuring the organization is aligned at all levels.
  • Use these meetings to identify areas where compliance could be strengthened within each department and provide executives with the necessary resources to address these gaps.

By making compliance a regular part of leadership conversations, you normalize it as part of the company’s strategic considerations.

  • Lead by Example in Your Own Meetings

One of the most powerful ways to set the tone at the top is to demonstrate your commitment to compliance in team meetings. Senior executives must embed compliance into every conversation about business decisions, strategies, and performance metrics.

This is crucial because people tend to imitate their leaders’ behavior. When executives consistently incorporate compliance considerations into discussions about business operations, it becomes clear that ethical behavior is not a separate initiative but part of how the company functions.

How to Implement

  • When reviewing business strategies, ask questions about managing compliance risks. For example, if a new product is being launched, inquire about the regulatory requirements and whether the company is meeting them.
  • During performance reviews, assess how managers and employees adhere to the company’s compliance policies. Reward ethical behavior, not just financial or operational results.
  • Be transparent about the compliance challenges the company may face and how you expect the team to address them.

Leading by example shows that compliance isn’t just the responsibility of the legal or compliance department—it’s everyone’s responsibility.

  • Conduct Regular Compliance Check-ins with Department Heads

CEOs and senior executives should meet regularly with department heads or team leaders to discuss how compliance is integrated into their teams’ day-to-day operations. These check-ins provide an opportunity to evaluate how well the company’s compliance program functions. Compliance risks vary by department, so it’s important to ensure that leaders at every level actively manage them. Regular check-ins provide insight into how compliance initiatives are being implemented and whether additional support is needed.

How to Implement

  • Schedule monthly or quarterly meetings with department heads to discuss compliance. Topics should include how well the department is adhering to company policies, any challenges they face in meeting compliance requirements, and potential risks.
  • Ask for updates on compliance training within each department—are employees attending, and is the training effective? Offer resources and assistance if certain areas need more focus.
  • Use these check-ins to identify potential areas of non-compliance or emerging risks and take steps to address them before they escalate.

Regular compliance check-ins create accountability among department leaders and ensure that compliance is continuously monitored across the organization.

  • Reinforce Compliance Training and Policies in Team Meetings

One of the most practical ways to integrate compliance into team meetings is by reinforcing the importance of compliance training and company policies. While formal training sessions are crucial, ongoing reminders help ensure compliance stays at the top of employees’ minds. Compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Reminding employees about training sessions, policy updates, and regulatory changes helps keep the compliance program fresh and relevant.

How to Implement

  • Use team meetings to remind employees of upcoming compliance training sessions. Personalize your message by explaining how these training sessions directly relate to their roles and the risks they may encounter.
  • Discuss any recent updates to company policies or new regulations affecting the business. Ensure that everyone understands the implications of these changes and how they should adjust their behavior accordingly.
  • Endorse compliance training by sharing examples of how it has helped the company avoid risks or improve operations. Your endorsement will increase employee engagement with these programs.

Reinforcing training and policies regularly helps ensure that employees remain aware of their compliance obligations.

  • Open the Floor for Compliance-Related Concerns and Questions

The final and arguably most important way to set the right tone at the top is by encouraging open dialogue about compliance. Team meetings offer an opportunity to create a safe space where employees feel comfortable raising compliance concerns or asking questions. Always remember that part of a Speak Up culture is listening.

This point is of the utmost significance. When employees are afraid to speak up about compliance issues, small problems can quickly escalate into major risks. By fostering a culture of openness, you encourage employees to address potential problems proactively before they become serious.

How to Implement

  • At the end of each meeting, allocate time for employees to ask questions or raise concerns related to compliance. Make it clear that you take these issues seriously and that there will be no retaliation for speaking up.
  • Encourage managers to follow up on any concerns raised and ensure that they are addressed promptly. If necessary, escalate issues to the compliance team for further investigation.
  • Lead by example by actively engaging with any compliance concerns during the meeting. Show that you are approachable and willing to help resolve compliance issues.

Creating an environment where employees feel empowered to speak up reduces the likelihood of compliance breaches and strengthens the company’s overall integrity.

The Power of Team Meetings in Compliance Leadership

Establishing the right tone at the top for a best practices compliance program is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing engagement and consistent messaging. Often viewed as operational, team meetings offer a critical venue for CEOs and senior executives to reinforce their commitment to compliance in an actionable, intimate setting.

By making compliance a standing agenda item, leading by example in your meetings, conducting regular check-ins, reinforcing training, and opening the floor for concerns, senior leaders can build a culture where compliance is not just an expectation but a fundamental part of how the company operates.

Ultimately, this consistent, hands-on approach builds trust, fosters accountability, maintains compliance, and becomes an organizational competitive advantage.

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Compliance Tip of the Day

Compliance Tip of the Day: How a CEO Can Set The ‘Tone at The Top’ – Part 3

Welcome to “Compliance Tip of the Day,” the podcast where we bring you daily insights and practical advice on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned compliance professional or just starting your journey, our aim is to provide you with bite-sized, actionable tips to help you stay on top of your compliance game.

Join us as we explore the latest industry trends, share best practices, and demystify complex compliance issues to keep your organization on the right side of the law.

Tune in daily for your dose of compliance wisdom, and let’s make compliance a little less daunting, one tip at a time.

Today, we conclude our look at how a CEO can lead with tone at the top for any compliance program.

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Blog

Tone at the Top Week: Part 3 – Email as a Strategic Compliance Tool

We continue exploring how CEOs and senior executives are uniquely positioned to emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and adherence to compliance regulations. Today, we consider the humble email and how it can be one of the most effective ways to communicate this Tone at the Top on doing business ethically and in compliance. These written communications can formalize the company’s stance on compliance, ensuring that the message is clear, consistent, and accessible to employees at all levels.

Emails allow senior leadership to broadcast the company’s compliance goals and demonstrate that these goals are integral to the business’s strategic vision. Done correctly, they reinforce the notion that compliance is everyone’s responsibility and provide a continuous reminder of the company’s commitment to ethical behavior. Today, we will lay out five specific ways a CEO or senior executive can use emails to establish and maintain an appropriate tone at the top for a best practices compliance program.

  • Make Compliance a Regular Topic in CEO Communications

To ensure compliance is integrated into the company’s operations and not seen as an afterthought, it must become a consistent topic in CEO communications. When compliance is presented alongside other business goals, such as financial performance or growth strategies, it signals to employees that ethical conduct is integral to the company’s success. This matters because if doing business ethically and in compliance is only mentioned when something goes wrong, it reinforces the idea that compliance is reactive and only addressed in crises. You create a proactive compliance culture by incorporating compliance updates into quarterly or monthly CEO communications. This shows employees that compliance is as important as any other business objective.

Implementation

  1. Include a dedicated section on compliance in your regular CEO emails. Highlight the importance of staying compliant with industry regulations and company policies.
  2. Emphasize how compliance helps the company achieve its broad business objectives. For instance, explain how maintaining strong compliance practices can enhance the company’s reputation, build stakeholder trust, and create long-term value.
  3. Regularly update employees on the status of the compliance program—such as new initiatives, policy updates, or risk areas that the company is monitoring—demonstrating that compliance is part of the company’s ongoing strategic efforts.
  • Celebrate Ethical Behavior Through Recognition

One of the most impactful ways to promote a compliance culture is publicly recognizing and celebrating ethical behavior. Emails offer a convenient and highly visible platform to acknowledge individuals or teams who have supported the company’s compliance efforts. Recognizing these contributions boosts morale and sets a standard for others to follow.

This is significant because celebrating ethical behavior publicly sends a clear message to employees that compliance is valued and rewarded. It also reinforces that ethical decision-making is an achievement, not just a minimum expectation. This builds a positive association with compliance and motivates employees to take ownership of their role in the compliance program.

How to Implement

  1. Use your email communications to highlight specific examples of individuals or teams demonstrating exceptional commitment to compliance. Share what they did, why it mattered, and how their actions helped the company avoid risks or comply with regulations.
  2. If applicable, tie these recognitions to broader company values, showing how ethical behavior aligns with the company’s mission and goals.
  3. Consider establishing a regular “compliance champion” recognition in your emails to create an ongoing tradition of celebrating compliance successes.
  • Respond Promptly to Industry or Regulatory Changes

In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, staying ahead of industry changes is critical for maintaining compliance. When new regulations or legal requirements are introduced, the CEO needs to address these developments with the company quickly. This demonstrates that leadership is aware and engaged and helps employees understand how these changes impact their day-to-day responsibilities.

This is critical because the quicker a company adapts to regulatory changes, the less likely it is to fall out of compliance, reducing the risk of fines, penalties, or reputational damage. By issuing timely communications explaining how the company will adapt, the CEO sets a clear expectation that staying compliant is a priority.

How to Implement

  1. When new industry regulations or legal changes arise, send an email explaining what the changes mean for the company and what steps are being taken to comply.
  2. Provide specific guidance for departments or teams directly affected by the changes. For example, if new data privacy laws are introduced, explain what the legal team, IT department, or data-handling staff must focus on to ensure compliance.
  3. Emphasize that compliance with new regulations is not optional—it is critical to the company’s continued success and ethical standing in the industry.
  • Encourage the Reporting of Compliance Concerns

A key component of any successful compliance program is the ability for employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation. Regularly reminding employees of the company’s whistleblower program and other reporting mechanisms demonstrates leadership’s commitment to fostering a safe and open environment.

This is imperative because employees must feel that their voices will be heard and their concerns will be addressed. The CEO reinforces that transparency and accountability are core company values by regularly encouraging employees to report ethical or compliance-related issues.

How to Implement

  1. Periodically remind employees of the available reporting channels, such as the company’s whistleblower hotline, ethics portal, or designated compliance officers.
  2. In your emails, emphasize that all reports will be taken seriously and that there is zero tolerance for retaliation against those who raise concerns in good faith.
  3. Share anonymized examples (if appropriate) of how the company has successfully addressed issues raised by employees, demonstrating that reporting leads to positive action.
  • Endorse Major Compliance Initiatives

A compliance program’s success hinges on visible support from senior leadership. By personally endorsing new compliance initiatives—policy updates, training sessions, or new risk management tools—the CEO lends credibility to the program and encourages employee engagement.

This is crucial because, as the CEO publicly supports a compliance initiative, it signals to the entire organization that the program is not just a legal requirement but a top priority for the company. Employees are more likely to participate in training sessions and adhere to policies if they know senior leadership is fully behind these efforts.

How to Implement

  1. Send a personal email when launching major compliance-related initiatives, such as a new code of conduct, mandatory training sessions, or policy updates.
  2. Explain why the initiative is important in your message and how it will benefit the company and its employees. Be clear that participation is expected and necessary for maintaining the company’s ethical standards.
  3. Follow up on the initiative’s progress in subsequent communications, reinforcing that the company is committed to maintaining compliance over the long term.

Emails offer a direct, personal, and effective way for CEOs and senior executives to establish and maintain an appropriate tone at the top for a best practices compliance program by making compliance a regular topic, celebrating ethical behavior, responding to regulatory changes, encouraging the reporting of concerns, and endorsing major compliance initiatives.

When done consistently, these email communications help build a strong compliance culture. Employees understand that ethical behavior is not just encouraged—it’s a fundamental part of how the company operates. As a result, compliance becomes integrated into daily business practices, reducing risk and fostering long-term success.

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Compliance Tip of the Day

Compliance Tip of the Day: How a CEO Can Set The ‘Tone at The Top’- Part 2

Welcome to “Compliance Tip of the Day,” the podcast where we bring you daily insights and practical advice on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned compliance professional or just starting your journey, our aim is to provide you with bite-sized, actionable tips to help you stay on top of your compliance game.

Join us as we explore the latest industry trends, share best practices, and demystify complex compliance issues to keep your organization on the right side of the law.

Tune in daily for your dose of compliance wisdom, and let’s make compliance a little less daunting, one tip at a time.

Today, we continue our look at how a CEO can lead with tone at the top for any compliance program.

Categories
Blog

Tone at The Top Week: Part 2 – Ten Things A CEO Can Do

In corporate compliance, a guiding principle is the foundation for success or failure: Tone at the Top. This phrase encapsulates the role of senior executives—particularly the CEO—in setting the ethical standards, cultural expectations, and overall mindset toward compliance within an organization. Without a strong, consistent tone from leadership, even the most well-designed compliance programs will falter. However, the entire organization benefits when senior executives actively lead with integrity and prioritize compliance. In this post, we’ll explore the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of compliance and list practical ways CEOs and other senior executives can demonstrate the appropriate tone at the top.

But Tone at the Top is more than just words. It is about action. What are 10 things a CEO or Senior Executive can do to demonstrate the right Tone at the Top?

1. Lead by Example

Senior executives must model ethical behavior in every aspect of their role. Employees watch how leaders act, especially in challenging situations. When executives consistently demonstrate integrity in decision-making, it reinforces the importance of organizational compliance. To quote the great Jimmy Johnson, “If you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.”

2. Communicate Clearly and Consistently

Regular, transparent communication about compliance and ethics is key. CEOs and senior executives should emphasize the importance of compliance in emails, internal memos, town halls, and meetings. Compliance messages should be woven into the fabric of all business communications, not just when issues arise.

3. Embed Compliance in Business Strategy

Compliance should not be an afterthought. Senior executives can demonstrate their commitment by ensuring compliance is part of the strategic business planning process. This means considering regulatory risks, ethical implications, and compliance requirements when setting business goals. Compliance must sit at the table and participate in the long-term planning and implementation of your organization’s business strategy. This includes mergers and acquisitions, assessing and planning for emerging risks, and disaster planning.

4. Empower the Chief Compliance Officer

The CEO should ensure that the CCO has direct access to senior leadership and the board of directors. The FCPA Resource Guide, 2nd edition, states, “DOJ and SEC also consider whether a company has assigned responsibility for the oversight and implementation of a company’s compliance program to one or more specific senior executives within an organization. Those individuals must have appropriate authority within the organization, adequate autonomy from management, and sufficient resources to ensure that the company’s compliance program is implemented effectively.” This shows employees that the compliance function has the full backing of the leadership team. The CCO must also have the authority to manage the compliance program effectively.

5. Allocate Adequate Resources to Compliance

An underfunded compliance program signals to employees that compliance is not a priority. CEOs should ensure a sufficient budget, personnel, and technological resources are allocated to the compliance function. This includes funding for training, audits, monitoring, and reporting tools. This  requirement also follows Hallmark 4 of the Ten Hallmarks of an Effective Compliance Program that CCOs must have adequate resources, stating “the amount of resources devoted to compliance will depend on the company’s size, complexity, industry, geographical reach, and risks associated with the business.”  However, ensure it is not simply budgetary resources but also qualified compliance personnel for your corporate compliance function.

6. Incorporate Compliance into Performance Metrics

Holding employees accountable for compliance should be integrated into the company’s performance metrics and reward systems. Senior executives should ensure compliance-related goals are part of annual performance evaluations and that ethical behavior is rewarded, not just financial performance. Doing business ethically and in compliance should also be incorporated into promotion evaluations. You cannot promote employees who ‘hit their numbers’ but those who work ethically, actively promote the values of the organization, and work to improve the organization’s overall compliance.

7. Deliver Compliance Training Personally

When senior executives participate in compliance training, it sends a powerful message. CEOs and other leaders can demonstrate their commitment by personally delivering training sessions or appearing in training videos. This can be the most powerful statement in many ways, as it reinforces the importance of compliance from the top down.

8. Take Swift and Decisive Action on Compliance Issues.

When compliance violations occur, how leadership responds speaks volumes. CEOs should act swiftly and decisively to investigate and address any issues. Employees need to see that no one is above the law and that compliance breaches will not be tolerated—regardless of an individual’s position in the company. This means justice across your organization and fairness in how consequences are meted out. If you fire employees in Brazil for cheating on their expense accounts, you must fire your top producer in the US for cheating on their expenses.

9. Encourage Open Dialogue and Reporting

Senior executives should actively encourage employees to report compliance concerns without fear of retaliation. The CEO can demonstrate this by promoting the company’s whistleblower program and fostering an environment of openness and transparency. Executives should also be approachable, signaling that compliance concerns will be taken seriously.

10. Align Compensation with Compliance

Executive compensation should reflect the company’s commitment to compliance and ethical behavior. CEOs can lead by example by linking their compensation to compliance performance metrics. This aligns with business success and the company’s commitment to doing things correctly. The same is true for consequences in the form of contractually agreeing to clawbacks and holdbacks of compensation, equity, or options for violations of a corporate compliance program.

Tone at the top is not a one-time initiative. It is an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and reinforcement from senior leaders. When a CEO and other executives lead by example, it sends a clear message that compliance is more than just a regulatory necessity—it’s a fundamental part of how the company does business.

For in-house compliance professionals, fostering this tone from the top is critical to building and sustaining an effective compliance program. It empowers employees to take compliance seriously, encourages ethical decision-making at all levels, and creates an environment where risks are managed proactively.

Ultimately, senior executives’ commitment to ethical leadership and compliance isn’t just good governance—it’s innovative business. By embedding compliance into the company culture through strong leadership, organizations can build trust with stakeholders, protect their reputations, and ensure long-term success.

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Compliance Tip of the Day

Compliance Tip of the Day: How a CEO Can Set The ‘Tone at The Top’- Part 1

Welcome to “Compliance Tip of the Day,” the podcast where we bring you daily insights and practical advice on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned compliance professional or just starting your journey, our aim is to provide you with bite-sized, actionable tips to help you stay on top of your compliance game.

Join us as we explore the latest industry trends, share best practices, and demystify complex compliance issues to keep your organization on the right side of the law.

Tune in daily for your dose of compliance wisdom, and let’s make compliance a little less daunting, one tip at a time.

Over the next several episodes, we will look at how a CEO can lead with tone at the top for any compliance program.