This is a really cynical take.
CEOs and companies can, and should, act ethically. Not just because it's the "right thing to do", but because it's the best way to guarantee the integrity of the brand in the long term.
CEOs and companies can, and should, act ethically. Not just because it's the "right thing to do", but because it's the best way to guarantee the integrity of the brand in the long term.
I can and should always drive the speed limit. But that doesn't mean I do, which is why highway patrol exists, to keep people in check. "Should" is such a worthless word when it comes to these discussions because if you believe that an executive needs to act a certain way but you don't believe it enough that some sort of check is placed on them, then you must not believe in importance of their good behavior that strongly.
So yeah, they should, but they don't.
A company that is composed of 100% ethical actors may one day have all their employees quit and replaced with 100% unethical actors. Yet the fundamental things that make the company that company would not have changed.
If you personally make less money would you still do it?
You might answer yes but many wont.