CREATING HOLDING SPACE IN A WORLD OF AMBIGUITY AND UNCERTAINTY
R&C: Given the current climate, what challenges are companies facing when it comes to maintaining integrity?
Weghmann: The challenges are countless, but I would prioritise three: contradictions, choices and sacrifices. We face unprecedented contradictions where leaders are torn between what is legal, ethical and politically or socially acceptable. For years, these perspectives were somewhat aligned, but now they seem increasingly contradictory, creating times of extreme uncertainty and severe pressure. Hence, leaders today are in a tough spot, having to choose to what degree – and at what cost – they want to hold onto integrity. Here we see organisations doubling down and others dialling back to what is legally required. Regardless of the choice leaders will make, it will come at a cost. In a recent speech, Barack Obama cautioned that values mean nothing if you are not willing to sacrifice something for them. The same is true for integrity; doubling down in the current environment will come at a cost in the short term, especially if competitors are dialling back to benefit in the short run.
R&C: In the corporate context, to what extent does this influence speak-up behaviour in organisations?
Aydt: We should not underestimate the risk of employees feeling uncomfortable to speak their mind. Political and societal sentiments, and especially how organisations and leaders choose to react to them internally, will have a severe impact on how invested colleagues will be in continuing to speak up. We are social animals who quickly pick up on social cues. People who feel that they, or different perspectives, are not valued will be even more afraid to step forward. The shift in social norms – for example, dialling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives – creates ripple effects that negatively influence the overall level of trust in organisations and the ability to build healthy feedback cultures.
Jul-Sep 2025 Issue
Ernst & Young LLP
EY GmbH & Co. KG