Ethics Statement
Effective consulting requires trust between a consultant and client. My ethics statement below is adapted from a past professional leadership coach, which was adapted from the International Coaching Federation, and it reflects my commitments to each client and to the consulting profession at large. Also, please enjoy some of Chris’ photography!
Confidentiality
1. I will maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all client and sponsor information. I will have a clear agreement or contract before releasing information to another person, unless required by law.
2. I will maintain, store, and dispose of any records created during my consulting business in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy, and complies with any applicable laws and agreements.
Consulting relationship
1. I will respect the client’s right to terminate the consulting relationship at any point during the process. I will be alert to indications that the client is no longer benefiting from our consulting relationship.
2. I will encourage the client or sponsor to make a change if I believe the client or sponsor would be better served by another consultant or by another resource.
3. I will suggest my client seek the services of other professionals when deemed necessary or appropriate. I will have a clear agreement or contract before releasing information to another person, unless required by law.
Clarity and mutual understanding
1. I will have clear agreements or contracts with my clients and sponsor(s). I will honor all agreements or contracts made in the context of professional consulting relationships.
2. I will have a clear agreement upon how consulting information will be exchanged among consultant, client, and, if applicable, sponsor.
3. I will carefully explain and strive to ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, my consulting client and sponsor(s) understand the nature of consulting, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other terms of the consulting agreement or contract.
Honesty and physical propriety
1. I will be responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern any physical contact I may have with my clients or sponsors.
2. I will not become sexually intimate with any of my current clients or sponsors.
3. I will not knowingly mislead or make false claims about what my client or sponsor will receive from the consulting process or from me as the consultant.
4. I will not give my prospective clients or sponsors information or advice I know or believe to be misleading or false.
Professional conduct
1. I will, at all times, strive to recognize personal issues that may impair, conflict, or interfere with my consulting performance or my professional consulting relationships. Whenever the facts and circumstances necessitate, I will promptly seek professional assistance and determine the action to be taken, including whether it is appropriate to suspend or terminate my consulting relationship(s).
2. I will not knowingly make any public statement that is untrue or misleading about what I offer as a consultant, or make false claims in any written documents relating to the consulting profession or in our shared agendas and strategies.
3. I will accurately identify my consulting qualifications, expertise, experience, certifications and other credentials.
4. I will recognize and honor the efforts and contributions of others and not misrepresent them as my own. I understand that violating this standard may leave me subject to legal remedy by a third party.
Conflicts of interest
1. I will seek to avoid conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest and openly disclose any such conflicts. I will offer to remove myself when such a conflict arises.
2. I will not knowingly take any personal, professional, or monetary advantage or benefit of the consultant-client relationship, except by a form of compensation as agreed in the agreement or contract.
3. I will disclose to my client and his or her sponsor all anticipated compensation from third parties that I may pay or receive for referrals of that client.
4. I will only barter for services, goods or other non-monetary remuneration when it will not impair the consulting relationship.