Ethical Leadership for C-Suite Executives and Senior Management
One-Day Executive Course
Accredited for Continuing Professional Development
Course Overview
Ethical leadership is not merely about compliance. It is about the courage to do what is right, the capacity to make transparent decisions under pressure, and the commitment to embed values across the organization. This intensive one-day course is designed to equip senior executives with the tools and mindset to lead with integrity, set the ethical tone at the top, and uphold stakeholder trust in times of complexity and change.
As global organizations face rising stakeholder expectations, regulatory scrutiny, and ESG obligations, the integrity of leadership has become a defining factor in long-term sustainability and boardroom credibility. This course explores the intersection of ethics, governance, and executive accountability and is aligned to internationally recognized governance and ethical frameworks.
Target Audience
Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Audit Executives, Board Directors, Senior Executives and General Managers
Course Objectives
- Clarify the role of ethical leadership in governance and strategic direction
- Recognize ethical blind spots and decision-making biases at the executive level
- Strengthen ethical culture across the organization through tone at the top
- Integrate ethical governance into board, audit committee and risk frameworks
- Use real-world case studies to test ethical judgment under pressure
Best Practice Frameworks Referenced
- King IV Report on Corporate Governance
- OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
- IFAC Framework for Ethical Leadership
- Global Internal Audit Standards 2024 with focus on integrity and ethical conduct
- Institute of Directors guidance on board ethics and fiduciary responsibilities
- United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals
Course Schedule
The course is delivered in four strategic sessions across one full day. Each session includes facilitated discussion, ethical scenario analysis, and executive reflection.
Morning session one focuses on ethical leadership in governance. Participants explore the ethical obligations of C-suite executives and boards in guiding organizational culture, transparency, and sustainable decision-making. The session examines recent ethical failures and regulatory responses in international contexts.
Morning session two introduces decision-making under ethical pressure. This session explores ethical reasoning, personal accountability, and navigating ethical gray zones. Using a structured ethical decision-making framework, participants engage with dilemmas common to leadership roles such as financial disclosure, stakeholder conflict, and reputational risk.
Afternoon session one addresses setting the ethical tone at the top. This includes strategies to lead by example, foster psychological safety, and deal decisively with unethical behavior. Participants reflect on leadership influence, modeling values, and ethical role clarity in a complex organization.
Afternoon session two presents a leadership simulation. Executives are presented with a high-stakes ethical crisis scenario and must respond in real-time, justifying actions to a mock board and media. The debrief emphasizes transparency, stakeholder trust, and internal accountability.
The course concludes with individual ethical leadership commitments, followed by the awarding of CPD-recognized certificates of completion.
Why Attend
- This course supports the development of executive integrity and corporate credibility
- It is aligned with global ethical leadership standards and regulatory expectations
- It enables organizations to mitigate reputational risk and reinforce ethical culture
- Participants gain clarity on their role in ensuring governance beyond compliance