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SCENARIO: An executive search consultant is leading a school board through a search to fill its vacancy. After the consultant gives the board a slate of six semi-finalists, a board member discovers one candidate had posted a misogynistic meme. She shares the find with the search consultant and the board president, who seems perturbed but tells other board members it was "no big deal." However, several board members believe the social media post is a disqualifier and ask the search consultant to address this discovery before the candidate interviews with the full board. What should the search consultant advise them to do?
CHRIS NICASTRO: There can be no tolerance for inappropriate behavior or misogynistic, racial or ethnic slurs. Whether it's on social med strok signa, in a pubic setting or in writing, such conduct says a great deal - and nothing positive - about the values and principles of the candidate.
If the search consultant can verify that the candidate did, in fact post such a comment, then the consultant would be well advised to take the individual off of the slate. The search process will not...