Turning Ethics into Action: Ruth Steinholtz on the Speak to the Human Podcast
How can leaders in organisations gain a deeper understanding of their culture, the lived experience of their people, and identify and harness their authentic values in order to thrive? In a thought-provoking conversation with Sarah Abramson on the Speak to the Human podcast by Acteon, Ruth Steinholtz, founder of AretéWork, shares her expertise on values, the power of values-driven leadership and on ethics ambassadors as a way of increasing engagement with ethical decision-making.
Understanding Organisational Culture Through Values
One of the key tools Ruth uses to assess and improve corporate culture is the Barrett Cultural Values Assessment (CVA) process, which yields useful insights into the culture of the organisation, including for example the level of culture health or culture risk. It can also identify gaps between stated values and actual workplace values and behaviours. It starts with an email to all staff, asking three simple yet profound questions:
- What are your top 10 personal values?
- What values do you experience daily in your organisation?
- What values and behaviours would help your organisation reach its highest potential?
Using the analytical data obtained from across the organisation, and cut into whatever segments are meaningful for it, a period of workshops, dialogues and discussions are held to dive into the data. This process of wide consultation is key, especially if the goal is to identify or refresh stated core values. The process itself generates engagement and connection.
Culture risk is essentially the amount of dysfunction, represented by potentially limiting values that are highlighted in the CVA. Ruth points out that when dysfunction is high, ethical behaviour suffers and reporting of issues declines. Identifying and addressing these cultural risks is essential to building an organisation where values genuinely guide decision-making and people behave with integrity..
Who Takes Responsibility for Culture?
Ruth has worked with a range of organisational types from Plcs to charities, NGOs, law firms and client, including CEOs, and senior leaders in legal, compliance and HR., While some companies come to her with a clear objective—such as revisiting their values—others recognise cultural issues but aren’t sure where to begin. The key, she explains, is follow-through. Too often, organisations undertake cultural assessments but fail to sustain the momentum needed for real change.
To ensure lasting impact, values must be integrated into strategy, leadership development, and communication—not treated as a one-time initiative. Leaders who truly embrace values-driven leadership will find that a strong culture reduces the need for excessive rules and bureaucracy because people are naturally aligned with the organisation’s principles.
What Can Business Learn from Professional Cycling?
Ruth draws an unexpected but compelling parallel between professional road cycling and business ethics. In cycling, individual excellence is crucial, but without teamwork and strategy, even the strongest riders can’t succeed. Similarly, businesses need high-performing individuals who also know how to collaborate effectively.
Communication, coordination, and real-time decision-making are as vital in business as they are in cycling. Leaders must constantly assess risks and adjust their approach while ensuring alignment across their teams. Just as cycling teams must develop trust and clear communication to succeed, organisations must foster an environment where values are understood, lived, and reinforced at every level.
What’s Next?
Ruth continues to champion values-driven leadership and ethical culture in organisations worldwide. Whether through speaking engagements, podcasts, writing or her consulting work with AretéWork, she remains committed to helping leaders create workplaces where humans can thrive and make ethical decisions based on values.
Want to hear more? Listen to the full conversation with Sarah on the Speak to the Human podcast and contact Ruth explore how you can take action to build a stronger ethical culture in your organisation.