Although the context is betting, I believe the lessons emerging from this crisis — which could have serious consequences for those involved — are highly relevant to the corporate world. The way leaders — or their absence — contribute to environments permissive of ethical misconduct raises a red flag for managers and companies across all sectors.
In the ‘CPI of Bets’ (Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on Betting), it became clear how the lack of oversight of these platforms, especially of those who promote them, can let situations spiral out of control and cause significant losses. In companies, similar failures can result in fraud, corruption, resource misappropriation, and illegal decisions made in the name of profit. These deviations almost always reflect leadership that either ignores ethical risks or fails to set the right example.
It's important to emphasize that leadership goes beyond making strategic decisions — it also means being a role model. The ‘CPI of Bets’ showed us that the absence of responsible leadership created room for questionable practices. In the corporate world, leaders who fail to closely monitor processes or even turn a blind eye to irregularities often plant the seeds of future crises.
Companies that have faced scandals usually share a common trait: leadership that ignored warning signs and/or encouraged unethical behavior. When the top is corrupt or complacent, the rest of the organization tends to follow suit.
Moreover, an excessive focus on aggressive goals can create an environment where the ends justify the means. When ethics are not prioritized, employees may look for “shortcuts” to hit targets — even if that means resorting to unacceptable practices.
The question every leader should ask is: “Are we rewarding performance, even when it comes at the cost of integrity?” The CPI is not just a legal case — it’s a wake-up call about what happens when there’s a lack of integrity culture, when leaders aren’t paying attention to details, when control structures are weak or non-existent, and when no one feels responsible for the bigger picture.
The ‘CPI of Bets’ reminds us that punishing misconduct is not enough — we must prevent its root causes, which often lie in absent, complicit, or unprepared leadership. It’s up to leaders to decide whether to play fair or not. Ultimately, a company’s reputation is built through the daily choices of its leaders — and destroyed when those choices neglect the most fundamental value of all: integrity.
Pedro Signorelli
One of Brazil's leading management experts, with a focus on OKRs. His projects have moved over R$ 2 billion and include the case of Nextel, the largest and fastest OKR implementation in the Americas. More information: http://www.gestaopragmatica.com.br
