After the Election Seek Counsel in Public Institutions, Places of Worship, and Especially Company Water Coolers

The four walls - or virtual walls - of any business are where ‘we the people’ can think, learn, and grow. While it may not always embody the status of a public forum or the reverence of a place of worship, the places we work are sanctuaries of equal importance for how we see and react to the world around us.

In a place and at a time when many are exhausted by political discourse, we can count on the hours we work to provide a place for productivity and, yes, a distraction from all the tribalism.

Overexposure to the intricacies of political polling has made statisticians of us all. Data from GlassDoor has shown that 61% of employees are already engaging in political discussions at work. While most of them are men (67%), a healthy 54% of women are doing it, as well.

Digging deeper, a survey by ResumeHelp finds that when it comes to sharing political views at work, age doesn’t seem to matter with 58% of 25-34-year-olds and 60% of 35-44-year-olds taking part in political discourse while they work. For better or worse, both Millennial and Gen Z generations, who grew up in the age of social media, are naturally inclined to public expressions of personal opinions.

Throw Conventional Wisdom Aside - At Least for Now

This proclivity to ponder and proclamate on politics leads to the reality companies face today. However unprecedented, business leaders that haven’t already done so must seriously consider adding ‘Chief Diplomacy Officer’ to their list of responsibilities - consider these examples why…?

• Recruitment and Retention - Engendering a workplace environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their opinions, allaying their concerns or fears, and seeking guidance on complicated issues, will attract and retain the activism within the workforce of today and tomorrow.?
• Productivity - Polite political conversation in the workplace can contribute to a more productive and positive environment when handled appropriately. It can promote respectful discourse, help build emotional intelligence, and even foster critical thinking.
• Company Culture - Civilly discussing sensitive topics can build camaraderie and strengthen relationships within teams. When employees can disagree but still engage with one another respectfully, it promotes trust - a cornerstone of most successful businesses.

Above All Else, Civility

In the latest (2024) World Happiness Survey, the United States dropped out of the top 20 happiest countries. It spotlights an issue and a moment for business leaders to address head-on. In collaboration with HR leaders, Chief Diplomacy Officers can assume new responsibilities to reimagine their companies in a way that is every bit as trusting as it can be innovative.?

While political conversations can be tricky, fostering an environment where such discussions are conducted politely can be a powerful tool for improving workplace productivity. Doing so can cultivate respect, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and effective communication, all of which contribute to a more productive, collaborative, and healthy work environment.?

The key is to create clear guidelines and expectations for how these conversations should be conducted to ensure they remain constructive and don’t devolve into personal attacks or divisiveness.