Between a rock and a hard place – Middle management and ethical leadership
Whenever ethics in organisations is discussed, ethical leadership appears to be the default topic of choice irrespective of the media used to convey authors’ and speakers’ messages and their intended audiences. Unfortunately, content that…
Use of emojis in the workplace
The use of the emojis and WhatsApp messages in the workplace has taken centre stage in the sexual harassment hearing against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. Closing arguments were presented before the tribunal on 21 October…
Building Ethical Culture Through Values-Driven Institutional Policies
When we discuss institutional policies, a few thoughts come to mind, and they are mostly related to rules, conformity, and sanctions. They often carry a reputation for being rigid, restrictive, and bureaucratic. Institutional policies are…
Is Workplace Psychological Safety a Buzzword or an Ethical Imperative?
Recent scandals involving Nestlé executive Laurent Freixe and AI startup Astronomer’s CEO Andy Byron, both of whom engaged in relationships with subordinates, highlight deeper ethical failures beyond personal misconduct. From South African…
Women Leaders Finishing Strong Against the Odds
At the front of an unforgettable 9 August 1959 transformative and revolutionary march stood Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, leaders who risked opposing apartheid pass laws and chose to stand anyway.…
A busted myth, or scientific possibility?
We live in a time when ethics often feels more like a buzzword than a benchmark. Especially in recent years, it has become a headline grabber, frequently quoted but rarely practised. From scandals to whispered cover-ups, society has good…
A Lesson in Ethical Leadership from a Retired Police Officer
In a country overwhelmed by reports of crime, corruption, and endless commissions of inquiry, a retired police officer in Gauteng reminds us that true justice comes from individual courage, compassion and constructive action. Scanning…
Who Is Watching the Watchers? South Africa’s Political Appointments and the Crisis of Ethical Governance
“They are not just protecting criminals—they are obstructing justice.” These are not the words of an opposition politician or activist. They are the words of a senior police officer: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General…
From Sharpeville to Smuts – The Fight to Save a Generation
As South Africa commemorated Youth Day on June 16, we remembered the courage and sacrifice of those who stood against oppression in pursuit of justice, equality, and a better future. This day marks the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising,…
Employee cynicism: A slow death for your organisation
The majority of organisations have some level of awareness regarding the importance of cultivating sustainable ethical cultures over time. An ethical culture is the collective ethics mindset of the organisation. It develops over many…