Personal behavior isn’t private when you lead.
Andy Byron, CEO of the tech firm Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, its Chief People Officer, were captured in an embrace on a Coldplay “kiss cam” (July 16, 2025).
Both Byron and Cabot were married to other people. Their response to seeing themselves on the jumbotron suggests infidelity. Byron resigned his CEO position at Astronomer hours later. Cabot, the head of HR, resigned shortly after.
Research shows a cheater in one area often cheats in others.*
Cheater at Home – Cheater at Work
Infidelity doesn’t stay in the bedroom. It shows up at work.
Research shows financial advisors, police officers, and CEOs who used a marital infidelity website were significantly more likely to engage in professional misconduct.
Cheating requires justification.
- “No one will know.”
- “I deserve this.”
- “It’s not really that bad.”
The same thinking fuels fudged numbers, favoritism, and shady deals. Cheaters who justify marital unfaithfulness are more likely to excuse unethical behavior at work.
Correlation, Not Causation
The research suggests correlation, not causation, between personal infidelity and professional misconduct. But ethical lapses tend to cluster. Use this to reinforce risk management and ethics programs.
What to Do
- Hire for character. Results without integrity are dangerous.
- Listen for rationalizations. It’s a red flag when someone explains away wrong behavior.
- Watch for congruence. Integrity means consistency. Private courage supports public trust.
Cheaters have shown they can lie to someone they promised to love. That matters.
Leadership magnifies character.
The higher the position, the louder the example.
Culture suffers when cheaters rise.
What happens when leaders have one standard for themselves and a different standard for others?
I had a A Moral Dilemma at Dunkin.
Sources:
*Personal Infidelity and Professional Conduct
*Cheating & Honesty – Ethical Systems
