MANAGEMENT TIPS

 

WHEN SHOULD YOU SPEAK OUT ON PUBLIC ISSUES?

As a leader, you may face pressure to take a stand on contentious public issues. While speaking out carries risks, silence can invite criticism too. The challenge is knowing when your company’s voice belongs in the conversation. Here’s how to decide.  Remember that you speak for the company. Before saying anything, ask: Why should our company weigh in? Focus on issues directly connected to your business, purpose, or values. You’re speaking on behalf of an enterprise, not simply expressing a personal opinion. Consider the expectations you create. Taking a stand on one issue can create pressure to speak on others. Your words may also shape customer behavior and perceptions for years. Think carefully about the precedent you’re setting. Set boundaries in advance. Work with your leadership team and board to define which issues your company’s purpose obliges it to address and which fall outside its purview. When pressure builds, evaluate calls to speak against these agreed-upon principles, rather than the intensity of the moment. This consistency helps you speak with credibility when your company’s values are genuinely at stake.  Excerpt from Havard business review on management.