Impact Podcast | What it takes to build an ethical business

From financial fraud to environmental violations, stories of corporate misconduct are hitting the headlines with unsettling frequency. More troubling still, those are just the cases we see. Behind the scenes, countless smaller lapses unfold quietly, reshaping workplaces in ways that often go unnoticed.

So how do we move beyond the headlines and build ethical business cultures that last?

In the season two premiere of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw speaks with Hayden Woodley, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Ivey Business School, about his eye-opening new research on emotional intelligence and ethics. He explains how stronger EI can lead to better decisions, how ethical behavior can be “contagious” across teams, and what leaders can do – from smarter hiring to intentional training – to create cultures of integrity.

Drawing on his expertise in team dynamics, Hayden also reveals how to create teams that disagree productively, foster true inclusivity, and avoid the traps of laissez-faire leadership.

Engaging and practical, this episode offers clear strategies for turning ethics from an overhyped buzzword into a real competitive advantage.

00:00 Intro
02:17 What do winning teams have in common?
09:21 The surprising role of emotional intelligence in ethics
12:33 Why confidence turns ethics into action
15:23 Can tomorrow’s leaders train their emotional intelligence today?
21:14 The power of example
24:30 Ethics: The blue pill or red pill?