What really drives bad behaviour inside organisations, and why do so many compliance efforts fail to address it?

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Sarah Cole is joined by Professor Benjamin Van Rooij, a leading global voice on the intersection between law, behaviour, and organisational culture.

Benjamin is co-author of The Behavioral Code: The Hidden Ways the Law Makes Us Better or Worse and co-editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Compliance. He shares deep insights into how laws and compliance programmes often miss the mark, not because they are weak on rules, but because they fail to ask the right behavioural questions.

Together, Sarah and Benjamin explore:

• Why root cause analysis matters more than intervention
• The danger of focusing on why something happened instead of how
• The concept of “toxic organisations” and how structural harm becomes normalised
• What good leadership really looks like: realism, resistance, and room for critique
• How punishment can backfire, and the 13 behavioural effects it may trigger
• What Compliance 3.0 could look like, moving beyond liability management into long-term prevention

Benjamin also reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave, his desire to influence policy at the highest level, and why magical glasses that reveal future consequences might be every leader’s best survival tool.

If you are a CEO, general counsel, or senior leader grappling with culture, conduct, or compliance, this episode will challenge your thinking in the best possible way.

Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom?

Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact.

📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/

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What really shapes workplace culture - the glossy mission statement, or the quiet everyday decisions leaders make under pressure?

In this episode, Sarah Cole is joined by Emily Miner, Director at Ethisphere and seasoned expert in ethics, compliance, and values-driven leadership. Together, they explore the real work of building trust in organisations, where values aren't just words on a wall but are reflected in how people behave, how leaders respond, and how decisions are made.

Emily shares her personal journey from environmental policy and climate advocacy to corporate ethics - a shift that revealed just how powerful business can be in driving real change. The conversation delves into culture, psychological safety, empathy, and the practical frameworks leaders need to navigate complex societal issues without losing sight of their purpose.

You’ll hear insights on:

• The difference between performative values and lived culture
• How leaders can balance advocacy with accountability
• Why empathy, trust, and transparency are becoming non-negotiables
• And what truly belongs in a leader’s survival kit (hint: not just grit)

This is an episode for anyone who cares about shaping better organisations from the inside out.

Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom?

Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact.

📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/

🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/

☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

In this powerful episode, Sarah Cole is joined by Keith Read - award-winning expert in ethics, governance, and compliance — for a no-nonsense conversation about the heart of leadership: trust.

Keith has spent decades advising global organisations on how to build ethical cultures that actually work in practice, not just on paper. He’s seen what happens when values are ignored, and he knows what it takes to rebuild trust from the ground up.

Together, Sarah and Keith explore what ethical leadership looks like today, how to challenge toxic behaviours without losing your voice, and why leaders must do the deep inner work if they want to create truly values-driven teams.

You’ll hear:

• Why trust is a business imperative, not just a buzzword
• How to lead through uncertainty without compromising integrity
• The cost of silence in leadership — and how to speak up with courage
• How Keith navigated complex ethical dilemmas inside large corporates
• What “culture” really means in action, and why it starts at the top
• How to ask better questions that surface the truth and build accountability

This episode is essential listening for anyone in a leadership role who wants to build trust, lead with clarity, and do the right thing — even when it’s hard.

Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom?

Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact.

📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/

🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/

☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole