Most client-related ethical circumstances consultants come in contact with present us a pretty clear black and white set of ethical decisions \u2013 and some actually bring us the opportunity to do our job better. \u00a0For example: If we are an environmental consultant hired to verify the chemical levels of our client\u2019s factory effluent the ethics are clear. \u00a0If the effluent is noncompliant we tell the client \u2013 with no regard for whether they will like what they hear or whether they will want to rehire us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
1. Sometimes they require courage<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   In the most extreme of cases, if test results are clear, their implications on health and safety real and expressed and recommendations for problem amelioration are not pursued, or if it is apparent that a request has been made to the consultant to falsify information or \u201close\u201d the data, these circumstances step way over the legal and ethical boundary. Then, there is the requirement to whistle blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

   Would you have that courage?<\/span><\/p>\n

   \n
   1. Sometimes they demand we put relationships second<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      It is not uncommon that in the course of a consultation a professional employee of the client will ask you to help them find another job because they are unhappy where they are. \u00a0This is particularly sticky if you have developed a personal relationship with that employee \u2013 perhaps even in several previous client engagements with other companies.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The favor cannot be accommodated \u2013 particularly if it would be harmful to the client to lose that employee. \u00a0Rather than finding that individual a job, energies must be brought to bear on resolving the source of the dissatisfaction in a collaborative way with the employee and their manager. \u00a0Diplomacy is required for sure, but IMC ethics always require you to work in the best interest of the client first.\u00a0 The requirement is to work to resolve the issue collaboratively. Not work behind the back of the client.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
      1. Sometimes they require us to turn-down business<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         When a consultant develops a trusted-advisor relationship with a client, the client frequently seeks the consultant\u2019s advice on a wider range of subjects than is the consultant\u2019s specialty. IMC Ethics require a consultant not to accept an assignment that they know they are not qualified to service.<\/span><\/p>\n

         \n
         1. Sometimes they require us to be Absolutely Honest and confront people \u2013 even consulting colleagues<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Another demanding application of IMC ethical standards is the requirement that one consultant call another on unethical behavior. \u00a0The good ol\u2019 boy practice of looking the other way does not apply. In the worse cases such ethical breaches are required to be reported to the national certifying organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
            1. Sometimes they require consultation with other consultants<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               This is for the grey areas. I have, more than once, called upon my fellow IMC CMC\u00ae-certified colleagues to advise me on a situation bordering on an ethical dilemma. Fortunately, none of these situations involved life or limb, been on the edge of legal questions or dealt with vast sums of someone else\u2019s money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

               So why did I need advice? \u00a0Because I wanted to be the best consultant I could be for my clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

                <\/p>\n

               It\u2019s all about the client.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

               People ask me frequently what the economic benefit is of IMC CMC\u00ae certification. Why pay even the modest extra membership fee? Why work for certification? Why go through the re-certification process every 3 years? Why bother?<\/span><\/p>\n

               My answer is always the same. The benefits are primarily in the CMC\u00ae\u2019s ability to service their clients better \u2013 with better practice disciplines, improved ethical guidelines, a higher level of thought leadership, a higher level of service and professional proficiency, the ability to call upon highly qualified and experienced colleagues to assist in tough situations and a host of other client-centered reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

               Is all that possible without a CMC\u00ae certification? Yes. But while Certification may appear difficult to achieve, it\u2019s easier to walk a proven path with 10,000 other experienced, creative,certified travelers who continually improve that path, than forge your own through the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n

               \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

               *****<\/span><\/p>\n

               \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

               When practicing consultants join the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) and enthusiastically embark upon the journey to achieve Management Consulting Certification (CMC\u00ae), even the most experienced and confident consultants, with many years of professional and consulting experience under their belts, can temporarily stumble on the path. Given the myriad of requirements needed to achieve certification and the intellectual ability of the typical experienced consultant, it is somewhat surprising to find that the place on the path that they commonly stumble is, remarkably, in one the two required certification exams \u2013 the Ethics exam.
               \nIt is a not uncommon, and personally embarrassing surprise, for a senior, experienced consultant to discover that his\/her presumed unwavering and reliable ethical compass may not point true north at all times and under all circumstances. But, rest assured, they do recover quickly, adjust their understanding, and pass.<\/p>\n

               The exam result is a wakeup call. The good news is, that with a little bit of additional learning, colleagial coaching and understanding, the potential for real-life ethical operator error is avoided and true north becomes easier to identify.obvious.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6738,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[107],"yoast_head":"\n