Are Businesses Confused About Their Role in Politics, Purposefulness, and Policy?
The three Ps: Politics, Purposefulness, and Policy…They’re way too often conflated by companies, and worse, by their antagonists to the detriment of employees, customers, and even society at large. See Disney vs. the US State of Florida.
Need another example? The boiling cauldron of Roe v Wade in the United States and the anticipation of a final decision (already leaked) by the Supreme Court to reverse 50 years of law by returning abortion decisions to local states from the federal government…
KNEE JERK ALERT…I am not writing a political post…please respond accordingly. No vitriol or anger, save it for where and when it counts.?
First the Politics. There are those who feel that corporations need to speak out. Be present in the debate. Contribute to supporters and punish detractors. Tough call. There are so many levels to this politically. And so many sides. Clearly, a women’s right to decide about her health and body is sacrosanct and was established, by the self-same court, when Roe V Wade was decided. Yet, even then there were limitations. Not to delve too deeply on this subject, but what’s critical is that there are many views of what this ruling, or better put, reversal of a ruling, actually means. According to all the polls, the country is split on some of what might be called “fine points.” Suffice it to say that your colleague who has an opposing political view has a right to it…as do your company’s clients and customers. And at this stage, there is plenty to go around on all sides.
Next Purposefulness. In my view, this one isn’t tricky. I abhor companies who create “programs’ and “campaigns” around issues…that are vaguely linked to some greater brand purpose…later entered into award shows and lauded for their creativity. Very few of these efforts ever gain traction as they are run in small venues for short periods of time. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule—Pampers and UNICEF in Europe and Avon and Breast Cancer Awareness in the US, to name but two. Frankly, if you are going to be purposeful about abortion rights, how about workers' rights too? Stop using UBER and Lyft and buying on Amazon…It’s too easy to tick a box here and think you get a medal.?
AH…POLICY! Here is where the smart companies are making a real statement—a true difference—and staying away from shifting politics and vague purposefulness.?
Companies like WPP (my preference is not a secret to my readers) and CITI, amongst others, have made it clear that as a matter of health policy, any woman who decided on an abortion path and could not get one in her own home state because of restrictive laws, would be able to get the travel reimbursed by their health care program. A matter of policy…akin to other travel reimbursements for other health issues…when a local solution is not available. And, yet, even this…a policy decision that does not touch on local politics, has become fraught with it as some legislators are calling for boycotts and worse of companies that implement such policies.?
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To think that it takes courage to stick to a health care policy is a little frightening…but so it goes.?
KNEE JERK ALERT TWO…as long as it's legal somewhere,? it’s my business and not anyone else's if I go where the legal solution abides.?
Now, I know some will conflate, but I ask you again not to turn this into a political referendum. Instead,? think about how through policy we can actually make a difference…could be abortion, LGBTQ rights, religion, or inclusion. It makes no difference. We all can find a benefit that transcends the political and doesn’t have the flimsy veneer of the purposeful…no matter where we stand.?
Let’s be respectful of all views and let’s be empowering of all needs.?
Make that your policy.?
What’s your view?
Civil and Human Rights Advocate, Mental Health Advocate, Retired Human Resources Executive
2 年Another thought provoking and well developed piece, David. I think that it is wise for companies to establish and to properly disseminate (internally and externally) information on its core values. I cannot dictate how they would arrive at this point, but I would hope that it would be through a thoughtful, transparent process. I'm going out on a limb here: I think organizations should make connection to the community/ society-at-large a part of its value system. In so doing, it must regularly consider the political and purposeful implications of its actions on an ongoing basis. I don't think companies should jump in on every skirmish, but there are some defining issues of our day that align with many organizations' core values...and expertise/experience/stakeholders' interests. The safest approach might be to limit one's response solely on a policy level thereby insulating oneself from some blowback. But, as you so clearly pointed out; that doesn't protect an organization from blowback. So...what am I really saying? Companies should act as responsible members of the larger community - supporting purposes inherently connected to their core values and positive outcomes on the larger community. Some risk is inevitable.
Always insightful David. I know at GSTV when I joined, we weren't doing any PSA work. They have helped find many missing and exploited kids now. And while that's reason enough to do it, the sense of good the employees got was almost as great. But like anything, you live it or you don't. That doesn't mean filling a company with like minded people. Diversity, even political is important. How else to do we have civil discussions? I've manufactured in Taiwan, China...to see those conditions is heart breaking.
Founder @ Grey Space Matters | Speaker | Board Member | Advisor | Connector
2 年One of the fundamental tenets of "democracy" (purposefully in quotes for obvious reasons) is that speech is protected. When a government or government official seeks to (or worse, actually does) punish a corporation for its speech or values that should be protected under the U.S. Constitution, we no longer live in a democracy. When these punishments are for what are ostensibly religious reasons, that likewise should be protected. Now the problem is that in a democracy the majority should prevail in terms of rules and policies but regardless of that not happening in government (debatable), when there is not a majority of companies speaking out for certain policies then the minority rules. It's a large conundrum now and unless individual voters change things, then companies will be relegated to being publicly silent and privately funding politicians, albeit at their own peril.
Creating Meaningful Change Through Impactful Entrepreneurship and Coaching
2 年You make some great points. In these times, we are relying on brands to speak up and represent our values. Businesses have the capacity to change the world! Consumers won’t tolerate inauthentic, weak attempts at supporting a cause; it needs to be genuine and authentic with a public declaration. Most people don’t realize that even if they did overturn Roe V Wade the decision is left up to the State. So people could still get abortions. I’m a supporter of the right to choose, and everyone having sovereignty over their bodies and what goes into them. No mandates. Abortion should not be used as contraception though. And I do believe it’s import to understand the stages of gestation, and therefore, that there should be a time limit put on when you can have an abortion. (first trimester)
CEO, Adaly
2 年My only thought is that you and Caleb Hunt should connect. There’s SO MUCH for you guys to talk about.