A conflict of interest, or COI as it is commonly referred to, is a situation in which a person or entity, such as a company or public institution, has a vested interest that conflicts with their professional obligations. A conflict of interest can occur in a variety of settings, such as when a CEO’s financial interests are in conflict with the interests of the company she or he leads, or when a government official has private gain from a decision they make while acting in their official capacity.

Conflicts of interest can be financial, such as a corporate officer investing in a company they manage at the behest of a board of directors, or a lawyer investing in a company they represent as counsel. Non-financial conflicts of interest may involve business-related decisions such as awarding a lucrative contract to a friend's business, or mixed motives such as using official powers to gain preferential treatment for family or friends.

Conflicts of interest can lead to detrimental outcomes for those involved, from lost trust in those in positions of power to the reputational risk of an organization. As such, preventing, recognizing and controlling conflicts of interest should be a priority in any organization’s ethics and governance policies. Organizations and professionals should take proactive steps to prevent COIs, including annual assessments and the establishment of clear and enforceable policies. Organizations should also review potential conflicts of interest regularly and provide feedback to employees to ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided.

The most important factor in preventing conflicts of interest is to ensure transparency and disclosure of relationships. Employees should be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest immediately and to take appropriate steps to resolve them. When a conflict of interest occurs, it is important to take quick action to ensure any potential damage is minimized, and to prevent further conflicts from arising.

Conflicts of interest can be damaging to individuals, organizations and the general public. It is therefore critical for organizations and professionals to be aware of potential conflicts of interest, to have policies and procedures to prevent them, and to act quickly should any such situations arise. By doing so, organizations and individuals can ensure that their decisions are not compromised, and trust in their leadership is preserved.