Jan 13 2025 15 mins
In this new season of Adventures in Compliance, host Tom Fox delves into Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. It is the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories, first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927. In this episode, we consider another lesser-known of all the Holmes stories, The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier.
As part of ‘The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes,’ this episode examines business ethics and the ethical leadership of a corporate compliance function. The story offers a unique, Holmes-centric narrative that provides compelling lessons for compliance professionals and business leaders. This story, told from Holmes’ perspective, delves into themes of trust, transparency, and the consequences of concealing the truth—principles central to ethical business practices.
The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier reminds us that secrecy, fear, and miscommunication often compound ethical dilemmas. For compliance professionals, the story serves as a case study of the importance of transparency, compassion, and thorough investigation. By applying these lessons, businesses can build a culture of trust and accountability that stands the test of scrutiny—whether from Holmes or the Department of Justice.
Highlights include:
- Introduction to The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier
- Transparency in Compliance
- Institutional Justice and Institutional Fairness
- A Second Set of Eyes
- Rebuilding Trust
Resources:
The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes FAQ by Dave Thompson
For more information on the Ethico Toolkit for Middle Managers, available at no charge, click here.
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