OFF-MUTE 🔈
💬 Is the age of the outspoken CEO over?
📰 Both Axios and Bloomberg have recently run pieces about the decline of CEOs taking public stances on social injustice, violence, natural disasters and political issues.
📉 Why? Because the tech industry is in tough economic times and public comments can affect stock prices.
🎯 The other problem: politicians are targeting CEOs and attempting to take them down.
😷 But our societal problems remain.
👀 Whether we like it or not, as leaders we must assess — and sometimes confront — these issues because they affect the workplace.
✨ Our CEO Beth Monaghan is among those outspoken leaders. And even she often struggles to decide when to speak out. She leans on these 12 questions to help us (and our clients) figure out what’s right — here are the top six:
☑️ What are your organization’s values? Does the situation at hand align with them? Communication and action should always start from your values.
☑️ Who does this issue affect? Parents? BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or other underrepresented groups? Understand what’s at stake for them.
☑️ Who needs to hear your message and why? How does this impact your audiences or key stakeholders? Know your demographics.
☑️ What do you want to be known for? Do you want to build a category, become a socially-conscious organization or help stop climate change? Be a changemaker, not just a thought leader.
☑️ Will taking a public position feel authentic or performative? Are you tempted to jump on the bandwagon? Remember, actions speak louder than words.
☑️ Have you spoken out on this topic in the past? And if so, what did you say? Avoid sounding flip-flop or fairweather. Your social consciousness should be consistent…and real.
