Episodes

  • Exploring Accountability and Culture in Corporate Leadership

    Exploring Accountability and Culture in Corporate Leadership
    Mar 21 2025
    It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple—the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Tom welcomes Sam Silverstein and introduces Tara Stone, the Director of Client Success at Sam Silverstein, Inc. Tara shares her entrepreneurial journey, from selling golf balls as a child to running multiple businesses, before transitioning into her current role. She discusses the critical importance of listening, asking powerful questions, and continuous self-development in achieving professional and personal growth. Sam highlights the vital role of workplace culture in organizational success and elaborates on the Fractional Chief Culture Officer program aimed at helping businesses build high-performing, sustainable cultures. Tara also emphasizes the value of investing in oneself and the impact of personal development on all aspects of life. The episode provides invaluable insights for corporate compliance officers and other leaders looking to foster accountability and strong relationships within their organizations. Key insights: Tara’s Professional Journey Understanding the Accountability Institute The Importance of Culture in Organizations Investing in Personal Growth Leadership and Development Resources: Tara Stone on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    32 mins
  • Preventing and Fixing a Cultural Disconnect

    Preventing and Fixing a Cultural Disconnect
    Mar 13 2025
    It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The DOJ is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple: the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture? In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at how companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam conclude their 3-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement. Part 3 of the crucial aspects of corporate culture and ethics are detailed in the L.R.N. Ethics and Compliance Program Effectiveness Report. We explore why lower-level employees often perceive management as insincere about ethical values, not due to grand crimes like bribery or corruption but because of smaller, more personal issues like unfair treatment and lack of transparency. Sam emphasizes that even minor inconsistencies can erode trust, leading to a lack of safety and increased employee suspicion. They detail practical steps for middle and senior management to enhance their communication and engagement skills, with an overarching message that culture must be diligently maintained to build a high-performance organization. Key insights: Ensuring Fairness and Consistency in the Workplace Strategies for Enhancing Corporate Culture The Importance of Continuous Cultural Improvement Developing Middle Management Communication Skills Engaging Senior Leadership in Cultural Conversations Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    21 mins
  • Listening Up to Build a Speak Up Culture

    Listening Up to Build a Speak Up Culture
    Mar 6 2025
    It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple—the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture? In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at ways companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam continue their three-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement. In part 2, we discuss the importance of speaking up and listening up for corporate culture. Key insights: Proactive Listening Strategies for Leaders The Importance of a Listening Strategy The Disconnect in Perception of Company Culture The Impact of Communication on Culture Addressing the Disconnect with Data The Importance of Perspective Seeking Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    23 mins
  • The Increased Importance of Corporate Culture During FCPA Suspension

    The Increased Importance of Corporate Culture During FCPA Suspension
    Feb 27 2025
    It is always interesting with the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture than can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple-the better the culture the better the company. But many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture which allows your employees and thereby your organization implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture? In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance look at the ways companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam begin a 3-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement. Key Insights · Impact of Trump's FCPA Suspension · Importance of Corporate Culture · Culture Audit and Employee Attraction · Workplace Culture and Innovation · Speak Up vs. Listen Up Culture Resources Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter
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    24 mins
  • Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 5 - Ongoing Monitoring and Continuous Improvement of Culture

    Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 5 - Ongoing Monitoring and Continuous Improvement of Culture
    May 10 2024
    Boeing is not the first company to find itself amid a massive scandal. You can think of Siemens’ bribery and corruption scandal, the VW emissions-testing scandal, the Wells Fargo fraudulent accounts scandal, or any other myriad of corporate scandals where culture failed and created a toxic culture. The question for any organization in such a situation is how to transform its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In this concluding Part 5, we explore the dynamism of culture and why ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement are so critical for a true culture transformation. Leaders must set a clear vision for a positive culture, emphasizing values such as excellence, safety, and community involvement, and stress the importance of proactive actions to foster a culture of excellence. However, even after assessing a culture, the culture transformation strategy, and the plan’s implementation, the culture transformation must be nurtured through ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement. Leaders must make culture a primary objective, consistently demonstrating core values while advocating for continuous culture monitoring and improvement. Both agree that cultivating a solid culture improves the organization’s bottom line, enhances the quality of products, and contributes to the betterment of communities. Key Highlights: Continuous Monitoring of Organizational Culture Driving Cultural Change in Mergers Successfully Culture is Dynamic Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    16 mins
  • Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 4 - Design and Implementation of a Culture Transformation Strategy

    Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 4 - Design and Implementation of a Culture Transformation Strategy
    May 9 2024
    Boeing has recently seen one of the most public meltdowns over corporate culture. In 2024 alone, there have been multiple incidents, allegations, and reports about the company in the public arena. The company is under investigation by numerous governmental agencies. Several news organizations have reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the company, and there are ripples throughout the worldwide aviation industry. In such a situation, the question for any organization is how it thinks about turning around its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In Part 4, we consider using the results from The Culture Audit™ to design and implement the transformation strategy. The pivotal role of leadership in constructing and maintaining organizational culture is an intriguing and vital topic. Tom Fox, a strong advocate of taking action to communicate values within an organization, asserts that leaders who genuinely care about their employees and demonstrate this through their actions inspire loyalty and dedication, thereby creating a solid foundation for a positive workplace culture. Similarly, Sam Silverstein emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a culture that values consistency, trust, and mutual respect. Silverstein posits that leaders who show they are there for their team members in times of need and consistently support them create a positive workplace culture where employees are willing to go the extra mile. Both experts stress that actions speak louder than words and that authentic leadership involves embodying the values of honesty, integrity, and care for others. Key Highlights: Values-Driven Assessment of Organizational Culture Upholding Values Through Decisive Organizational Actions Cultivating Organizational Culture through Intentional Leadership Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    16 mins
  • Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 3 - Assessing Culture

    Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 3 - Assessing Culture
    May 8 2024
    Boeing has recently seen one of the most public meltdowns over corporate culture. In 2024 alone, there have been multiple incidents, allegations, and reports about the company in the public arena. The company is under investigation by numerous governmental agencies. Several news organizations have reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the company, and there are ripples throughout the worldwide aviation industry. In such a situation, the question for any organization is how it thinks about turning around its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. Part 3 is assessing your culture to develop a transformation strategy through The Culture Audit™. The Culture Audit™ is a powerful tool for assessing an organization’s culture, providing a comprehensive analysis of its values, employee engagement, and accountability. It serves as a diagnostic tool, pinpointing strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Think of it as a health check-up for your organization, revealing insights into aspects of your workplace culture that may not be immediately apparent. The value of cultural assessments extends beyond regulatory compliance; they empower leaders to foster an environment where ethical decisions are second nature. Silverstein emphasizes the essence of an action plan based on audit results to bring about desired improvements. Both Fox and Silverstein agree on the value of an external perspective in auditing and enhancing organizational culture. From The Culture Audit™, you can move to strategy design and implementation. Key Highlights: Culture Evaluation Through Comprehensive Cultural Audit Truthful Insights through Anonymous Culture Assessment Using Data to Design a Culture Transformation Strategy Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    16 mins
  • Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 2 - The Role of Leadership in a Culture Transformation

    Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 2 - The Role of Leadership in a Culture Transformation
    May 7 2024
    Boeing has recently seen one of the most public meltdowns over corporate culture. In 2024 alone, there have been multiple incidents, allegations, and reports about the company in the public arena. The company is under investigation by numerous governmental agencies. Several news organizations have reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the company, and there are ripples throughout the worldwide aviation industry. In such a situation, the question for any organization is how it thinks about turning around its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In Part 2, we consider the mandatory role of corporate leadership in a culture transformation. The role of leadership in cultural transformation within organizations is a topic that holds great relevance in today’s corporate world. Experts like Tom Fox and Sam Silverstein widely agree that the success of an organization’s cultural transformation heavily relies on its leaders. Tom Fox, a renowned expert, opines that everything rises and falls on leadership, emphasizing that senior leaders are vital in setting the direction and maintaining the organization’s culture. His perspective is shaped by the belief in the importance of trust in the culture and the commitment of leaders to protect and defend the culture. Similarly, Sam Silverstein, another leading voice in the field, also believes in the crucial role of leadership in cultural transformation. Silverstein’s viewpoint is that senior leadership sets the tone for the organization’s culture, and their commitment to prioritizing and defending that culture is essential. He argues that genuine commitment to values such as quality, ethics, and valuing people will ultimately drive bottom-line results. Both Fox and Silverstein’s perspectives distinctly underline the importance of leadership in driving cultural transformation. Key Highlights: Transformative Influence: Senior Leaders Shaping Culture Cultural Transformation by Strategic Board Leadership Leadership Accountability in Fostering Organizational Culture Resources: Sam Silverstein Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn Sam Silverstein The Culture Audit™ Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    15 mins