General Counsels are expected to be business enablers while at the same time managing risk, staying within ethical boundaries, and navigating cultural and human dynamics. In order to do so they must build trust and credibility within their organizations. Panelists will explore how GCs sustain ethical influence even when legal advice is uncomfortable, inconvenient, or commercially unpopular. The session will provide real-life examples of how legal leaders move beyond binary “approve or block” decisions to guide organizations toward responsible growth, particularly in times of increased business complexity driven by technology advancement, regulatory flux, cultural breakdowns and challenging human dynamics. Discussion topics include: 

• Delivering difficult legal guidance to executives and boards without losing influence or trust 
• Recognizing early warning signs of cultural and employee-driven risk before they escalate 
• Creating environments where employees raise concerns and leadership meaningfully responds 
• Aligning risk appetite with business ambition in fast-moving, high-uncertainty environments