EP 128 – Richard Bistrong, CEO at Front-Line Anti-Bribery, LLC – Avoid the Dark Side: How to Manage Your Ethical Blind Spots

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comWhen does your influence cross the ethical line at work? What sends people to the “dark side” that causes personal pain and derails careers – and how to make sure that never happens to you? Richard Bistrong can tell you from personal experience: He went to prison for bribery. And if you think that can’t happen to you (most people don’t), or you’ve felt the pressure to cut corners to advance at work (most people do) -- then you really need this episode. Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, wants to make sure you navigate tough ethical decisions that can arise in the ambitious pursuit of your career, getting things done, or influencing others. He and host Michael Wenderoth discuss what blinded Richard and practical steps that you – and your organization – should put in place to stay out of trouble, and smartly accelerate your career. SHOW NOTES:Risk will sneak up on you when you think: “That would never happen to me”Why Richard was sent to prison – and what that was likeHow Richard accidentally started Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC, to address an underserved “middle”Cheating is always a choiceThe call Richard never madeThe case of the Dutch police official: How conspiracies and bribery usually occurSunshine, chocolate and tolls vs. “commiting transnational crime”: How euphemisms and “non-terms” don’t sound so bad lead to moral fadingWhen an internal compliance officer needs to walk around with body guards – in their OWN companyAre people inherently good – or evil?If Richard could go back and make the call, how would he have done it?Not a “one and done”: Proactive outreach and what the company could have done“The voice of business”: How company’s can get over the first awkward call, by using open ended questions – and making sure those calls don’t just come from the Compliance officerTraining vs Preparation, Wall posters vs Operationalizing through Structures and Governance: What most companies missHow to identify your blind spotsAssembling “truth tellers” to manage conformity and your own confirmation bias“Ethical mistakes age like milk, not like wine”How to know when you are crossing the lineNavigating the “deep grey” when it comes to influenceRichard’s safety check: Are you becoming somebody else’s ambassador?Tips on how to assess a company’s ethics – “You can always walk out, but you don’t always have to walk in”“The lack of competing narratives” and other red flags that Richard looks forChanges in how the FCPA is being enforcedThe question Michael use to pose to his sales teamHow Richard finds foreign (non-US) countries approach business ethics differently from their US counterpartsFocus on the frozen middle in organizations BIO AND LINKS:Richard Bistrong is the CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, a consultancy focusing on real-world anti-bribery, ethics, and compliance challenges. His expertise is in Ethics, Compliance and Ethical Decision Making Under Pressure. He hopes to share the benefits of ethical business practices by the identification of blind spots in decision making. His work has appeared in Fast Company and The Harvard Business Review. He has also been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram. Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbistrong/Richard’s website: www.richardbistrong.comRichard is on Instagram at @richardbistrong (and on YouTube, X under his name; and on Facebook under Front-Line Anti-Bribery.His TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDnGVxAc7ikDorie Clark’s book Reinventing You: https://dorieclark.com/reinventingyou/Ron Carucci “How to Fix Our Trust Recesssion” (EP25 on 97% Effective): https://tinyurl.com/39cdawcpSpeak Out, Listen Up (Book by Megan Reitz and John Higgings): https://a.co/d/56zuYWxThe concept of “dangerous silence” in Amy Edmonson’s book, The Fearless Organization: https://a.co/d/08U3fDM“Why High-Performers are More Subject to Ethical Risks” (Forbes): https://tinyurl.com/5yp558vw“How to Approach Business Ethics When Global Consensus Breaks Down” (HBR article by Richard and Anna Romberg): https://hbr.org/2025/03/how-to-approach-business-ethics-as-global-consensus-breaks-downMichael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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