Integrity in Action
By: Sarah Gaines
JUNE Partners is founded with the core values of integrity and excellence.
Business values provide a unifying guidepost. An organization is defined not just by what we do, but how we do it. During times of trial and uncertainty, a firm’s values can be a guiding light to navigate tumultuous circumstances with clarity and purpose.
At JUNE, our firm was founded on the values of integrity and excellence. The two go together, but it’s no accident that “integrity” comes first in our framing.
What is integrity as a business value? What does it mean at JUNE Partners?
Fundamentally, it means to do the right thing, even if it is not easy, convenient, or lucrative. We honor the people in the process – clients, stakeholders, and candidates. We recognize there are inherent power imbalances and historical patterns of inequity that we address through inclusive and fair processes. We are always honest and value long-term relationships and partnerships.
Here are ways clients and candidates see integrity in action at JUNE:
JUNE treats each person with respect. We are honest, communicative, and compassionate. We take time to communicate with candidates who are not moving forward in the process and remember that everyone engaged is a person – not just a cog in a process we facilitate.
JUNE does our best work for every client. If JUNE is contracted to do work, it will get done well. Every client is important. Every client is due excellent service based on the terms and conditions we promised. We do not differentiate in the level of service for a “big client” or a “little client” because every client has received the same promise of excellence. JUNE will ensure that every search is resourced by capable and compensated staff.
JUNE commits to values-driven growth. We will not take every job that we are offered. Why? Because not every client or every contract will align with our principles. We say no if a client is looking to accomplish something we believe is unethical or inappropriate. We also decline to take a contract if we are not equipped to provide excellent services for the work at hand.
JUNE fosters inclusive and equitable processes. We are aware of power imbalances in the search process and in historical systems. JUNE builds diverse candidate pools and inclusive search processes that consider dynamics related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, faculty appointment, and organizational position. We build tools to engage everyone and ensure all voices are heard throughout the process. When we leave no stone unturned in unearthing talent, we know we have left no talent on the table and that our clients benefit from the innovation and productivity of diverse workplaces.
JUNE builds business through trust, excellence, and relationships. We believe that when you do well, your reputation speaks for itself. We eschew sales in the traditional, transactional model and invest in an organic, long-term approach to partnering with our clients, believing our success will follow.
JUNE models learning and growth. Our approach has been meticulously crafted to leverage our team’s expertise, refined through years of success, learning, and growth. However, no person, firm, or organization is perfect. If an issue even impacts a client in a way different from our intended outcome, we will own it and make it right.
Clients that work with JUNE have exceptional results with a firm that aligns itself in the long-term benefit that comes from working with integrity and excellence.
Sarah Gaines is Principal and Founder of JUNE Partners. She is grateful to the team at JUNE - and especially Ian Coppage and Kellie Sauls, ADEIP/CCDP, for their thoughtful partnership and consideration of how we as a firm demonstrate our values commitment.
