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The Leader as Chief Truth Officer: The Ethical Responsibility of “Managing the Truth” in Organizations

Author

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  • Jean-Philippe Bouilloud

    (ESCP Europe)

  • Ghislain Deslandes

    (ESCP Europe)

  • Guillaume Mercier

    (IÉSEG School of Management)

Abstract

Our aim is to analyze the position of the leader in relation to the ethical dimension of truth-telling within the organization under his/her control. Based on Michel Foucault’s study of truth-telling, we demonstrate that the role of the leader toward the corporation and the imperative of organizational performance place the leader in an ambiguous position: he/she is obliged to take the lead in “telling the truth” internally and externally, but also to bear the consequences of this “truth-telling” for the organization and for himself/herself. In this process of construction and implementing the truth, the leader is organizer and figurehead of the corporation’s truth-telling practices: determining the frontiers between truth that can be said and that which should remain hidden, both inside and outside the corporation; establishing a dialogue based on truth (i.e., an authentic, sincere relationship with all partners); guaranteeing that the rules of truth-telling are respected; and offering a truth which is compatible with the firm’s economic and ethical interest. Invested with the authority—the office—of managing truth within the corporation, the leader can be considered to be the “Chief Truth Officer.” From this perspective, we demonstrate that this role requires specific skills, like courage and practical wisdom.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Philippe Bouilloud & Ghislain Deslandes & Guillaume Mercier, 2019. "The Leader as Chief Truth Officer: The Ethical Responsibility of “Managing the Truth” in Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(1), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:157:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3678-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3678-0
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dima Younes & David Courpasson & Marie-Rachel Jacob, 2020. "Ethics from Below: Secrecy and the Maintenance of Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 451-466, May.

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