The Balance Collective Ask Me Anything: How to have an ethical career

This month’s Ask Me Anything is a question that seems relevant for the current times we live in. But it may surprise you to learn it’s come up in a variety of forms throughout my time as a coach, and even before, as a recruiter. When I am working with people, aiming to build a career or business they enjoy, they talk about roles that have a purpose, are aligned with who they want to be, or make a difference. Simply, ethical careers. So today, I explore this concept and share seven areas you can control to build your ethical career.

Whilst ethics are linked to being “morally good or correct”, who or what decides what is morally good or correct? Without turning this into a philosophical, theological, or sociological conversation, it’s best to lead with what feels correct or good for you. When you look back on your life, will it be something you feel proud of?
An ethical career is one that, ideally, not only does no harm but also improves lives and “avoids activities or organisations that cause harm to people or the environment.”

Before I share the seven areas you can control and influence, I want to clear up something. When we think of an ethical life and career, I need to acknowledge that we are living and working within systems that are unequal and unethical; capitalism it’s centre is unethical and leads to inequality. There are systems and processes that make us feel like we can’t take imperfect action. I am going to encourage you to think differently and to ask yourself:

What can I do and what can I control?

Do not be swayed by those who benefit from these structures. Imperfection action is still action!

Are you onboard? Then let me share the seven areas you can control to have a more ethical career:

• Get clear on your values and use them to make decisions.

When I am working with a client on their career development, we always start with values. Once you are clear on what they are, you can use these as a framework and ask, do your values align with the business organisation or sector? You can find this by looking at an organisation’s values and missions, as well as its behaviour and impact. You can get to the specifics based on your values: from inclusive, charity, community, environmental and their tech.

• What is the impact of your role? Does it create good and/or reduce harm?

This is a reflective piece and may be uncomfortable. But understanding whether and how the KPIs/success measures of your role align with the ethical career you want is essential. Ask yourself, “Am I able to make decisions and challenge the status quo?”

• Business Budget. Where does it go?

One way to notice an ethical career, as well as influence it, is to see where the organisation spends its money. Who are they supporting? Who are they championing? You may find you are able to have an influence in this area if you are involved, if it’s part of your role. From environmentally sensitive procurement to marketing spend, can this make a difference?

• How do you support your peers?

Even when you don’t have the authority within a role or company to influence spend or strategy, you can work to create and maintain an ethical culture. This can look like how you manage: loudly encouraging inclusivity, diversity and making suggestions. On a peer-to-peer basis, make sure you amplify other voices and ideas within your organisation.

• Are you being an ethical consumer?

There are three areas where we can have an influence. Who we vote for, where we spend our money, and where we give our attention. This can look like consciously supporting products, services, and places that align with your ethical aims. Or, when we find that organisation’s ethics no longer align, withdrawing financial support.

• How do you spend your spare time

Using the energy and resources you have to educate yourself on issues that align with your ethical values is important. In an age where “anti-intellectualism” is on the rise, keeping yourself up to date, informed, and connected is a key part of an ethical career.

• What can you do to support your ethical career?

After reading all of this, you may have realised you have an ethical career; it came naturally from living and working in alignment with your beliefs. Now that you are conscious of this, what can you do to maintain this with intention?

So, now you have found the seven ways to build an ethical career, what is your first step? I would love to hear.  Let’s make 2026 about who you are, not just what you do!

If you would like to chat about coaching, to create YOUR ethical career, book a call here.

You may also find the previous question and answers useful