The Chief of Staff Association’s Code of Practice ensures that all those to whom we award Certified Chief of Staff® act with the highest standards of integrity and are committed to maintaining best practice within the role of chief of staff.
1.1 The Chief of Staff Association holds a code of conduct to set standards and guide chief of staff professionals, enhancing public trust and confidence in the profession. All Certified Chiefs of Staff® express their commitment to the Code when they awarded the Certified Chiefs of Staff® status. They agree to accept subsequent changes to the Code as agreed by the Association’s committee responsible for reviewing the Code. The Code applies to all Certified Chief of Staff®, regardless of their rank, sector or the country they operate in.
1.2 The Chief of Staff Association is a professional body representing all those interested in developing and promoting the professional disciplines of strategic planning, operations management, diplomacy and executive support within the Chief of Staff role. Its aim is to advance the profession for the public benefit.
1.3 Certified Chiefs of Staff® are knowledgeable, skilled and experienced professionals recognized worldwide. The Code applies to all Certified Chiefs of Staff®, wherever in the world they operate.
2.1 The Code sets out the elements of professional standards and ethical behavior which the The Chief of Staff Association requires from Certified Chiefs of Staff®.
2.2 Both professionalism and ethics relate to proper, acceptable conduct. Professionalism is demonstrable awareness and application of competences and qualities, including knowledge, and appropriate skills. Ethics covers the conduct and behaviors recognized by the Association as appropriate for the profession.
2.3 In recognition of their obligations to principals, employers, the public at large and to the profession, all Certified Chiefs of Staff® declare that they will comply with the Code in order to ensure they continue to hold the Certified Chiefs of Staff® certification.
3.1 Members and Certified Chiefs of Staff® may be liable to a range of sanctions, which may include expulsion removal from the Register of Certified Chiefs of Staff®, if the internal committee determines that they have breached the Code.
3.2 The provisions of the Code shall apply to all Certified Chiefs of Staff®; and all Certified Chiefs of Staff® are expected to follow the spirit, as well as the letter of it.
3.3 The Code is made in accordance with, and applied under, the values of The Chief of Staff Association.
4.1 Members and Certified Chiefs of Staff® shall exercise relevant competence in accordance with professional standards and qualifications, such as those outlined by the Association. Members and Certified Chiefs of Staff® shall also:
a) observe the various requirements of the Code at all times;
b) act with honesty, integrity and probity in relationships with other professionals, both within and outside the Association, as well as with non-professionals and the wider public;
c) embody the values of The Chief of Staff Association as outlined in paragraph 5.1.
4.2 In paragraph 4.1, ‘relevant competence’ means the standard of competence reasonably expected of a Certified Chief of Staff® when practicing in their capacity, or undertaking other functions related to their role as Chief of Staff.
5.1 Certified Chiefs of Staff® are expected to embody the core values of The Chief of Staff Association in their professional conduct and approach:
a) Ethical Conduct: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will provide valuable insights, make informed decisions, and engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders on behalf of their principal, maintaining a steadfast commitment to ethical conduct.
b) Legitimacy: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will act in accordance with international, national, and local laws and regulations, committing to legitimacy in all actions.
c) Honesty: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will uphold the highest levels of integrity and avoid any behavior that could be perceived as dishonest, inappropriate, or excessive.
d) Trustworthiness: Recognizing the position of high trust that they hold, Certified Chiefs of Staff® will adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards of behavior.
e) Diplomacy: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will employ their diplomatic skills to benefit their organization and meet their principal’s specific objectives, demonstrating their ability to analyze complex information, simplify decision-making processes, and build consensus.
f) Inclusion and Diversity: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will promote an inclusive culture, valuing and celebrating diversity, and actively advocating for inclusivity within their organization.
g) Respect: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will treat all individuals with respect and dignity, fostering an environment where people feel safe and welcomed when interacting with the office of the chief of staff.
h) Merit-based Approach: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will interact with everyone based on their merit, always acting with empathy and respecting the dignity of colleagues and counterparties.
i) Impact: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will commit to delivering high performance and impactful contributions, both within and outside their organization.
j) Professionalism: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will uphold the highest standards of professional behavior, understanding that their performance significantly influences organizational efficiency.
k) Confidentiality: Recognizing the sensitive nature of their role, Certified Chiefs of Staff® will maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality at all times.
l) Connectivity: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will ensure their organizations have access to the necessary connections and information to make informed decisions, and will actively foster new connections as required.
m) Societal Responsibility: Certified Chiefs of Staff® will actively utilize their networks to identify societal themes of relevance to their organizations and help decode developing issues that are important to the societies in which the organizations operate.
5.2 These principles and values serve as the foundation of The Chief of Staff Association’s ethical conduct and guide the behavior of its members in their professional roles.