Global compliance officers today are well aware that ESG risks have been a moving target over the last few years. Global human rights guidance has shifted from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, while regulations addressing environmental and social governance issues have become more difficult to track, depending on your industry sector or business operations.

A CEO’s words on ethics and integrity matter. The CEO sets the tone, signals the company’s integrity priorities, and determines how employees understand the company’s culture. A CEO’s public speeches, online statements, and inspiring declarations signal leadership’s commitment to integrity. While CEOs are essential, they do not exist in a vacuum, they are one part of an integrity system.