A Self-Made Career Crisis: What happens when the CEO and HR leader cross the line.

News broke that the CEO and HR leader at Astronomer were caught mid-affair at a Coldplay concert. And let me tell you: I’m not here to throw stones. My ex-husband was also my co-worker.

Many of us have had relationships that began at work—because, frankly, that’s where we spend most of our time.

But as a career coach (and former PR exec), I want to talk about the other edge of the sword—because this specific situation is a self-made career crisis.

When you’re in leadership—especially in roles like CEO or HR—there’s a higher bar.

Not just for performance, but for perception, ethics, and trust.

We don’t know if Astronomer had a fraternization policy. We don’t know the details of their shareholder agreements, or what this could mean from a legal or compliance standpoint.

But what we do know is this:

🔹 HR is expected to uphold a code of conduct—not be at the center of a potential breach.

🔹 CEOs are expected to model leadership—not create reputational risk.

🔹 And when leaders become the story, it’s almost never good for business

Let's also consider that the CEO has stepped down since the incident.

CEO-HR pairings are not uncommon (nor are CEO-CMO, PR-C-suite matches).

It's actually a classic pairing.

These roles are deeply intertwined, often working long hours, and sharing aligned missions.

But when personal relationships become public scandal, the fallout isn't just personal—it’s professional.

Here’s my takeaway for you:

If you’re in leadership, you must understand the weight of your choices—not just behind closed doors, but in how those choices might ripple across your team, your company, and your career.

And if you’re navigating complex work dynamics—whether it's a workplace romance, a power imbalance, or a moment where your personal life is bleeding into your professional one—get support. From HR, legal, or yes, a career coach.

Because your next move could either repair your reputation—or cement a mistake you can’t walk back.

Kelley Joyce is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. She has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work. Follow her on LinkedIn for career and business tips.