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27 Feb 2026

The value of values

In this episode of What's Next? - ethics expert Alison Taylor, and experienced board chair, Karen Wood, explore how corporate values shape decision-making in a time of political polarisation and markets that reward short-term performance. They discuss the tension between purpose and profit, the realities of trade-offs, and how leaders can stay grounded while building trust and aligning values with action.

Key takeaways

  • Values are strategic, not symbolic. In a world of scrutiny and social fragmentation, ethics and trust are essential to business resilience.
  • Purpose must be operational. It only matters when it shapes culture, strategy and trade-offs - not just communications.
  • Courage and clarity beat neutrality. 
  • Businesses can’t “stay out of politics” when their actions shape societal outcomes; alignment between policy and sustainability is vital.
  • Hope lies in honest leadership. A new generation is demanding authenticity and action - a signal that leadership grounded in purpose still resonates.
Listen to the podcast

In this episode of podcast series, What Next? Alison Taylor and Karen Wood argue that coporate values are more strategic to build trust and therefore business resilience, than ever. They discuss the realities of trade-offs that leaders must navigate, and the fallacy that business must stay "out of politics."

Karen Wood
Karen Wood, Former South32 Board Chair

Purpose becomes powerful when it guides trade-offs, not when it avoids them.

Alison Taylor
Alison Taylor, Ethics expert

Values are now an imperative because if you don't have public trust, you will not retain your value. Without values, you do not retain your value.

What Next? podcast series logo
What next? Leadership conversations for a better future

What next? Leadership conversations for a better future is a podcast series hosted by Marc Kahn, our Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, and Lindsay Hooper, CEO at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Along with critical thinkers, innovators and leaders from across the globe, they discuss how markets can truly serve people and the planet, asking tough questions, challenging old assumptions, and opening space for new perspectives and solutions.

Chapter notes | Scroll to the areas that interest you

  • 00:00 – Setting the Scene: Values in an Age of Disruption

    • Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn open the conversation with guests Alison Taylor (author, Higher Ground) and Karen Wood (Chair and former mining executive) by asking what it means for business to stay anchored in purpose amid economic, political and social volatility.
    • What role do values play when markets reward only short-term results and politics grows more polarised?

  • 05:42 – Why Values Matter More Than Ever

    • Alison Taylor argues that values shape a company’s legitimacy and resilience: “Without values, you do not retain your value.”
    • Karen Wood discusses the realities of the mining sector — community expectations, environmental impact, the role of the energy transition – illustrating why legal compliance alone is insufficient.

     

     

  • 19:56 – From Words to Action: Making Purpose Real

    • Purpose statements can’t sit on a shelf. Karen describes how boards must “operationalise purpose,” weaving values into culture, accountability and decision-making.
    • Alison challenges businesses to close the gap between corporate rhetoric and real behaviour, warning against “compliance theatre” and overpromising.

  • 36:18 – Navigating Politics, Pressure and the Future of Leadership

    • The discussion explores how companies can act ethically amid global political tension and accusations of “woke capitalism.”
    • Alison and Karen unpack how to balance stakeholder expectations, local realities and global consistency.
    • The episode closes on a hopeful note - with both guests drawing inspiration from the next generation’s drive for ethical, purposeful leadership.

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Focus and its related content is for informational purposes only. The opinions featured on the site are not to be considered as the opinions of Investec and do not constitute financial or other advice. The information presented is subject to completion, revision, verification and amendment.

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