Business and Politics: Deciding Whether to Speak Out and What to Say

Companies face an increasing amount of pressure to speak out on social issues that matter to their customers. Although some leaders are reticent to tackle potentially touchy subjects, saying nothing is still saying something. Here are a few pointers to help you know when it’s the right time to speak out.

With the rise of social media and the power it gives to individual voices, U.S. corporations face growing pressure to use their vast influence to speak out on social issues — or potentially face bad press and even boycotts of products and services. While some leaders and companies have more or less of an appetite for social activism, most will likely face pressure to respond to major social issues at some point.

When tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the 2021 French Open due to mental health concerns, the spotlight quickly swung to how her corporate sponsors would react. Nike and other sponsors quickly responded and publicly voiced their…

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