In the wake of recent whistleblower allegations about The Boeing Co.'s safety culture, global CEOs should reflect on the importance of their own corporate culture and their commitment to fostering responsible, ethical and lawful business practices. The aerospace giant — once synonymous with quality and safety[1] — has faced intense scrutiny following a series of incidents that have raised questions about its commitment to these values.

The reported erosion of Boeing's safety culture has come at a severe cost to its bottom line, its share value and its reputation.[2]

A recent Federal Aviation Administration report found Boeing's safety culture to be "inadequate and confusing," with a "disconnect between Boeing's senior management and other members of the organization." The report found this was manifested by a "fear of retaliation" when "reporting safety concerns," a lack of clear reporting channels, and confusion among employees about safety procedures.[3]

These findings are alarming, not only for Boeing, but for any organization that puts safety and quality at the center of its reputation.

Click here to read the full article, originally published in Law360.