Insights
Ethics in Executive Search: Understanding the Importance of AESC Standards
Executive search is an unregulated profession, meaning that firms worldwide do not have to hold a license or certificate to practice. This can present an array of challenges for companies interested in partnering with a firm to find new executive leadership talent, and for executive candidates considering an opportunity presented by a search firm.
How do clients and candidates know the firm will protect confidential information? Will the firm avoid conflicts of interest? Does the firm understand the importance of fair and inclusive leadership? Will the firm only accept assignments they are qualified to complete? Does the firm use in-depth, multi-source assessments? Will the firm adhere to an exclusive agreement? These are just some of the questions companies and candidates may find themselves asking when selecting an executive search advisor.
While these questions are important, there’s only one question that can ascertain a firm’s ethical standing: Is the firm an AESC member?
The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) is the only global, standard-setting professional association for executive search and leadership consulting firms. AESC members are rigorously vetted to the highest professional standards, ensuring the firm can be trusted to act in the best interest of their clients, candidates, community at large, and the profession.
AESC members commit to a Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice Standards. They are also guided by AESC’s Client Bill of Rights and Candidate Bill of Rights. AESC members are uniquely positioned to demonstrate that they exceed both industry norms and client expectations.
AESC Code of Professional Conduct
Members comply with the Code of Professional Conduct, which summarizes the association’s values of ethics and integrity, excellence, objectivity, diversity and inclusion, and confidentiality. Adherence to the code confirms the member firm’s commitment to the highest ethical standards, clients’ unique business needs, objective judgment, diversity, equity and inclusion, and data privacy and security.
Professional Practice Standards
Aligned with the Code of Professional Conduct, the Professional Practice Standards provide a framework for how members conduct their business. These standards dive deep into the association’s values, highlighting that AESC members:
- Put integrity above all else. Members are clear on the terms of engagement, avoid conflicts of interest and commit to an ethical use of AI.
- Are guided by excellence. Members provide expertise and deep knowledge from the beginning to the conclusion of each assignment.
- Exercise independent, objective judgment. Members provide independent, informed advice based on a deep understanding of the challenges and issues clients face and an impartial consideration of relevant facts.
- Know the power of diverse talent and inclusive cultures. Members share a commitment to combat bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination within their organizations, with candidates and the clients they serve, and in their communities.
- Safeguard any confidential information entrusted to them. Members commit to protecting confidential information entrusted to them by clients, executives, candidates, partners, or other sources and they commit to data privacy and security.
Client Bill of Rights
The Client Bill of Rights expresses AESC members’ obligations to clients including candid assessments, clear terms of engagement and deep knowledge of the assignment, market, industry, function and business. The document promises that AESC members will avoid conflicts of interest with clients, candidates, and all other outside parties; serve as a trusted talent and leadership provider; and protect any confidential information. Clients can also expect effective, ongoing communication, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and follow-through support.
Candidate Bill of Rights
The Candidate Bill of Rights outlines what candidates can expect from AESC member firms. When approached by an executive search consultant, candidates should ask “are you an AESC member” to ensure that the consultant meets the highest ethical standards. Members promise an exclusive agreement for each assignment working directly with the client company so candidates can be assured that the consultant was hired by the client and isn’t just shopping their resume around. AESC members also promise open communication and honesty; a commitment to reduce implicit and explicit bias in the process; confidentiality; and fair assessment and selection processes.
As part of AESC’s commitment to candidate care, AESC also offers executive career services through BlueSteps. Whether the executive is focused on their next opportunity, a promotion or even a career pivot, BlueSteps is the destination to discover new opportunities, launch a job search, and increase visibility to executive search firms.
Work with an AESC Member
When interested in partnering with an executive search and leadership consulting firm, choose an AESC member. As leaders of the profession, they are held to the highest ethical standards. Clients and candidates working with an AESC member can rest assured they will receive the highest quality of care from the beginning of the engagement through acceptance of an offer and beyond.
