The Truth About CEOs: They Know the Harm They Cause

Did you know that when a CEO says, I didn’t know this would harm people, it’s almost always a lie?

Let me tell you a story. In 2015, a major CEO claimed he had no idea his company’s actions were polluting local water supplies. But here’s the thing: CEOs don’t make decisions in isolation. They have entire teams—directors, advisors, and experts—feeding them information from every angle. It’s nearly impossible for them not to know the consequences of their actions.

Here’s what the research says:

A study from Harvard Business School (2018) found that 94% of corporate boards are fully aware of the social and environmental risks tied to their decisions.

The University of Cambridge (2020) revealed that CEOs are briefed on potential public harm in over 80% of major corporate decisions.

And according to MIT Sloan (2019), companies that knowingly harm their customers often prioritize short-term profits over long-term trust—despite knowing the risks.

Think of it like driving a car. If you’re behind the wheel, you can’t claim you didn’t see the stop sign when you ran it. CEOs are the drivers of their companies—they see the signs, they just choose to ignore them.

So, what can we do about this?

Hold companies accountable. Support organizations that expose unethical practices.

Vote with your wallet. Choose brands that prioritize people and the planet.

Speak up. Share stories, sign petitions, and demand transparency from corporations.

What do you think? Should CEOs be held personally responsible for the harm their companies cause? Let me know in the comments!

Remember: silence enables harm. Together, we can demand better leadership and a better future. Let’s make it happen.

Source:

Harvard Business School (2018). "Corporate Responsibility and Board Awareness."

University of Cambridge (2020). "Executive Decision-Making and Public Harm."

MIT Sloan (2019). "Short-Term Profits vs. Long-Term Trust in Corporate Strategy."