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Recent incidents in the UK - such as Grenfell, Windrush, the Infected Blood scandal, and the Post Office Horizon IT - illustrate the vital role of ethics in preventing public sector failures. A new report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, published on Tuesday (25th March), calls for a more “open” and “curious” approach to leadership and culture. Although the recommendations are aimed at leaders of public bodies, the insights are highly relevant to the private sector too.
Learning from Early Warning Signs
The report, Recognising and Responding to Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies, details instances where organisations have both succeeded and failed in detecting early warning signs. Two key elements are identified as crucial for effective prevention:
- Leadership
Effective leadership involves cultivating an environment where every team member feels empowered to raise concerns. Leaders are urged to foster transparency, encourage open dialogue, and act decisively on the signals raised by their teams. Leaders must communicate the high standards they expect from their workforce with clarity and consistency. Crucially, leaders must also address behaviour that undermines a culture where speaking up is valued and make it clear that there will be consequences for unethical conduct. This proactive approach not only prevents minor issues from escalating but also reinforces trust within the organisation. - Culture
An open organisational culture is essential to preventing failure. A culture that values and actively encourages speaking up can be the first line of defence against systemic failures. The IBE’s response to the consultation stressed the importance of an environment where feedback is actively sought and addressed. We recommended that managers receive training in active listening, ensuring that all contributions, challenges, and ideas are valued. Equally important is maintaining a “virtuous triangle” by following up on issues raised - informing colleagues about the actions taken in response to their feedback.
Values and Moral Courage
At the launch in Westminster on Tuesday, a panel discussion reinforced the importance of values in guiding decision-making. Doug Chalmers, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, emphasised that speaking up is intrinsically linked to “moral courage.” This connection between leadership, culture and values underscores how ethics can help not just prevent failure but instil a culture of high performance too.