Here's how you can navigate conflicts of interest with your boss.

When I ran a now-dissolved law firm, I saw this first-hand. This is because of the “I” culture, not the “We” culture of the law firm. I went along as I did not know much about governance then. It remains a difficult issue, and the choices are to try to get some whistleblowing policy in place to be in a position to make a complaint and to try to influence the culture in the organisation. At the end of the day, little can be done if the tone on the top is weak. If it is illegal behaviour, report this to the authorities and keep your report secure, and if not, keep an eye out for the next opportunity. Don't bang your head against the wall in a hopeless situation.

Conflict of Interests are those combats between professional and personal interest which influence professional judgements and actions . When this is raised with your boss then the concern has to be carefully handled . Transparency , Integrity , Seeking advise and keeping informed are the best solutions for any conflict which comes up . When there is a clash of personal interest which is harmful for the organization then the decision needs to be taken keeping the impact in mind . While addressing to both boss and the company interest , the decision and the impartial interest matters mot to come to the best solution

The power and effectiveness of 1-1 meetings can curb and address COI. Accountability for activity, expectations, and goals sets the tone for what is and is not acceptable. Expectations should be in writing and signed off by the leader and employee ... to ensure there are no gray areas.

Navegar pelos conflitos de interesse com seu chefe exige diplomacia e comunicação aberta. Primeiro, identifique claramente o conflito e analise suas próprias preocupações e as do seu chefe. Marque uma reunião privada para discutir o problema, usando uma abordagem respeitosa e focada na solução. Escute atentamente a perspectiva do seu chefe e seja honesto sobre suas próprias preocupações. Trabalhe em conjunto para encontrar um compromisso ou uma solução que beneficie ambos e a organização. Mantenha a comunicação transparente e documente acordos para evitar mal-entendidos futuros. Agir com profissionalismo e empatia ajudará a resolver o conflito de maneira construtiva.

Tudo começa pelos seus valores pessoais e ética profissional. Esses são os pilares que vão nortear a forma como você vai lidar com isso. Se seu chefe pedir que você realize tarefas que o beneficiem pessoalmente, mas não estejam alinhadas com os interesses da empresa, é importante avaliar a situação objetivamente. Considere o impacto em todas as partes envolvidas e se isso compromete sua ética profissional. Nem tudo vale a pena, principalmente se fere valores e a ética.

Pour rester transparent avec votre patron, informez-le rapidement de tout problème ou retard. Par exemple, si un projet rencontre un obstacle, expliquez immédiatement la situation et proposez des solutions.

Pour demander conseil de manière pertinente, commencez par exposer brièvement la situation et le contexte. Ensuite, posez une question claire et précise pour orienter la personne vers une réponse ciblée et utile.

When in doubt, seek advice from mentors, HR, or trusted colleagues. Their external perspective can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the COI. I’ve found that consulting with my mentor during a COI helped me gain clarity and make informed decisions that aligned with both my professional and personal ethics.

Empatia de ambos os lados evitaria muitos conflitos desnecessários, colocar-se no lugar do outro e tentar entender seu posicionamento. Deixando bem claro que buscar aconselhamento não é fomentar fofoca (Picuinhas), em ambientes corporativos o melhor a fazer e resolver as diferenças diretamente com a pessoa, a depender da importância do tema levar tal temática ao grupo de gestores, de forma que todos farão seu posicionamento, as claras, evitando que a temática tome proporções desnecessárias. Evitando o famoso telefone sem fio, onde se fala 'A' e do outro lado chega 'K, S ou Z'.

"Gerir conflitos é, essencialmente, um exercício de inteligência emocional. Na minha opinião, o primeiro passo seria realizar uma retirada estratégica. Em seguida, avalie a situação com objetividade, tente se colocar no lugar do seu chefe e compreenda as razões por trás de suas objeções. Se possível, tenha uma conversa franca com ele, considerando que provavelmente ele está na empresa há mais tempo e pode ter insights que você desconhece. Se, de fato, você estiver correto em todos os aspectos e suas ações contribuírem para o crescimento da empresa, isso significa que é hora de tomar decisões difíceis."

Instead of just presenting the problem, come prepared with potential solutions. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to resolving the COI constructively. For example, when a COI arose during a collaborative project, I suggested reallocating certain responsibilities, which helped maintain project integrity and team harmony.

I think this becomes the most important point. While being transparent & putting accross your point is important, it is also important you stand by your words & set boundaries w.r.t your opinion. Despite the person being your boss, you are an individual with your own professional opinion. You can still continue to stand by your opinion in a polite & professional manner.

Setting boundaries at the right time saves one from getting caught up in a messy situation. Be proactive in identifying challenges and things that work well for you to discuss and document it. In situations where reactive discussion is held it often turns out to be an ugly situation and shows the unpreparedness of an individual.

Establish clear boundaries to prevent COIs from escalating. This might involve redefining roles or responsibilities. In my career, setting boundaries has been crucial in ensuring that my personal interests do not interfere with my professional duties. Clear boundaries help maintain focus and prevent potential conflicts.

Conflict of interest is quite a challenge! I once had an experience with this and sought guidance from a mentor, someone with more market experience than I had at the time and in whom I trusted. First and foremost, I followed my values and, in a polite but firm manner, stood my ground multiple times (whenever it happened). Eventually, the situation stopped. I don’t know if it really ceased or if the person just stopped trying to persuade me. It was quite a traumatizing experience, but it helped me grow as a professional and solidified my commitment to my values.

Respectez toujours vos valeurs et principes, même sous pression. Soyez honnête et transparent dans toutes vos actions et communications.

Above all, maintain your integrity. Upholding ethical standards and making decisions that align with your values is vital. I have always prioritized integrity in my professional life, which has helped build trust and respect with my colleagues and supervisors, even in difficult situations involving COIs.

" Se, de fato, você estiver correto em todos os aspectos e suas ações contribuírem para o crescimento da empresa, isso significa que é hora de tomar decisões difíceis. Por outro lado, se o conflito for apenas teimosia ou birra de um chefe que se recusa a evoluir, prejudicando suas oportunidades e as de seus subordinados, talvez seja hora de brilhar como o Sol. Se a empresa não valoriza o desenvolvimento dos funcionários, talvez não seja o seu lugar ideal. Nesse caso, é hora de buscar seu lugar ao sol em outro ambiente."

Consider the broader impact of your actions and decisions. Reflect on how your approach to handling COIs affects your team, your reputation, and your long-term career. Balancing professional responsibilities with personal interests requires thoughtful consideration and strategic planning. By maintaining a holistic view, you can navigate COIs more effectively and ethically. Follow my LinkedIn for comprehensive advice on navigating conflicts of interest and other workplace challenges.