Following the raid on US Capitol Hill last week, business experts urge CEOs and leaders “not to be silent” on matters of racial double standards and inequality.
In a message to CEOs, Micheal Bush, CEO & Founder of Great Place to Work, highlighted that it’s not the time for leaders “to be silent”; especially those leaders of organisations that have made “bold social justice statements and anti-racism commitments following George Floyd’s murder”.
CEOs and leaders have a responsibility to speak out and take action against incidents such as the attack on US Capitol Hill by domestic terrorists last Wednesday. Many leading CEOs of Fortune 500 did speak out, mainly condemning the violence with calls for peace and unity. Several companies also took swift action against employees who breached Capitol Hill, as well those that attended the Pro-Trump rally last week, after facing calls for boycotts.
In fact, some US employers even responded by firing workers and bosses who were arrested/caught for attending the rally or actions on Capitol Hill. For example, tech firm Cogensia, announced that it had fired its CEO, Brad Rukstales, after he was charged in federal court with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. The company said his actions were “inconsistent with its values”.
DOUBLE STANDARDS OUTRAGE
However, millions of people worldwide – especially Black, African American and people of colour – remain outraged especially at the racial double standards seen in the policing of the rampage as pro Trump rioters faced little resistance from the police; and much less resistance than the peaceful Black Lives Matters protestors faced.
“Witnessing what we all saw erupt at the Capitol, many of us know that if the crowd looked different, we would have seen a very different and violent response from our outgoing President,” points out Bush. “How do we know? Google it. He has repeatedly stated how he would handle Black Lives Matter protests in cities across America.”
Additionally, many people are not happy about having to work with those “who stormed the Capitol. Many are our managers and leaders, and those who weren’t there, donate money”, as author and workplace equity consultant Minda Harts notes. Many employers acted swiftly to prevent backlash against their companies by speaking out and condemning the violence. Yet, few have actually openly commented on the raid’s double standards and racial inequality.
HOW LEADERS SHOULD RESPOND
However, leaders of organisations that have made bold social justice statements and anti-racism commitments following George Floyd’s murder can’t afford to remain silent on matters like this, according to Bush. Many business experts worldwide agree.
For leaders and CEOs struggling with what to say, he offers some timely guidance. Firstly, let your staff “know that you saw the difference between how people were treated on the Capitol steps on January 6 compared to what you saw during Black Lives Matter protests. Don’t let people speculate about how you felt about what you saw. Silence is a bad move here, trust me”, Bush advises.
It also important to let employees know that “there’s a difference between peaceful protestors, rioters and federal lawbreakers. Our laws protect the first group and prosecute the second two. These statements transcend politics. Republican Senators and Representatives that have supported President Trump throughout his entire term made these same statements. You can let your people know you had an emotional reaction to what you saw. This is an opportunity to express your values in an empathetic way”, Bush explains. “Tell employees that you look forward to the peaceful inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because this is what democracies do.”
USE EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS
Let staff know that “you believe a peaceful transition of power is essential for our democracy, capitalism and the way of life that these sustain. He advises leaders to “go a bit further here” as Mitt Romney suggested and tell the truth: “That you have zero evidence that the election was rigged because you have zero evidence that the election was rigged. People can move forward when they hear the truth from you.”
It’s also vital that leaders let their employees know how their company will play a more important role in rebuilding America. This is about “being purpose-driven”, Bush explains. “This is communicating why your organisation exists to help multiple stakeholders thrive, not just owners and shareholders. This is the ‘Better for the World’ part of your purpose.”
Bush also encourages leaders to lean on their employee resource groups at this time: “Let staff know you need their help and that you would like to know how to support each and every employee to feel safe, heard and cared for during these unprecedented times. Tell them all the ways that they can share this critical feedback. Use your Employee Resource Groups.”
CEOS RESPOND WITH MESSAGES OF PEACE & UNITY
So how did company leaders respond? Many of the CEOs that spoke out, mainly used their company websites and social media platforms to condemn the violence on Capitol Hill and urged for peace and unity. Here are a few examples of the messages sent by leading CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Ronald O’Hanley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at State Street, urged that the “violence in the nation’s capital must be stopped. Whatever one’s political beliefs, any attempt to overturn the results of a legitimate election must be universally condemned. Our democratic system is an idea and an ideal that relies on the rule of law and the peaceful transition of power to sustain itself. We call on all of our country’s leaders to come together, reject this violence and preserve the foundations of our democracy in order to serve the American people and unify these United States.”
IBM’s CEO and Chairman Arvind Krishna’s tweet also condemned the violence: “IBM condemns today’s unprecedented lawlessness and we call for it to end immediately. These actions have no place in our society, and they must stop so our system of democracy can work.”
CALLS FOR UNITY & KINDNESS
Many CEOs across all industries called for unity, respect and kindness. For example, Disney CEO Bob Chapek condemned the violent act of rioters at Capitol Hill on Walt Disney Company’s official Twitter, describing it as “a sad and tragic day for our country, one unlike any other in our history. What we saw was an egregious and inexcusable assault on America’s most revered institution and our democracy. Thankfully, the democratic process that we hold dearly ultimately prevailed.” Chapek called for “unity and kindness” amid the unrest: “We should seize this opportunity, and move ahead with optimism and hope for a better, brighter future for all of America.”
Alex Gorsky, CEO and chairman of Johnson & Johnson, also called for unity in his company statement: “As an American, as a colleague to tens of thousands of Johnson & Johnson employees in the country, and as a US military veteran who served overseas to protect our democracy, I’m devastated by this assault on what our country has stood for since its founding: free, fair and peaceful elections. Now is the time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in unity – not face-to-face in conflict – and to chart our path to a better and healthier future.”
Tom Fanning, Chairman, President and CEO of Southern Company, tweeted: “The dangerous, violent actions perpetrated by an unlawful group of domestic terrorists at the US Capitol undermines the very essence of what we stand for as a nation. It is time to do away with division and animosity and forge ahead together to create a better future for all.”
EMBRACING DIVERSITY & UNITY
“Violence has never been an answer,” stated Dirk Van de Put, CEO of Mondelēz International on LinkedIn. “As Glen Walter, head of our North American business told our US colleagues, “While we recognise and respect differences, and embrace diversity in all its forms, what we witnessed yesterday has no place in our society”. Now is the time to see past our differences, build unity and recognise that we really are all #StrongerTogether.”
Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, noted: “It’s time to recognise the legitimate democratic process, ensure a peaceful transition of power and come back together as one nation.”
MOVING FORWARD PEACEFULLY
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan’s message focused on peace: “Today’s appalling events in our nation’s capital underscore the urgent need for all Americans to unite behind one of our most cherished principles: the peaceful transfer of power that has happened without interruption since our country’s founding. We must move forward together peacefully, respectfully and with a singular, shared focus on our American ideals.”
The message from David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs also focused on unity and peace. “For years, our democracy has built a reservoir of goodwill around the world that brings important benefits for our citizens,” he stated. “Recently, we have squandered that goodwill at an alarming pace, and today’s attack on the US Capitol does further damage. It’s time for all Americans to come together and move forward with a peaceful transition of power. We have to begin reinvesting in our democracy and rebuilding the institutions that have made America an exceptional nation.”
UNITED THROUGH RESPECT & EMPATHY
Ford CEO Jim Farley’s message focused on respect and empathy: “The Ford Motor Company condemns the violent and antidemocratic actions today. These were destructive acts against our shared principles and beliefs of a peaceful transition of power. We commit to working together, with respect and empathy, to uphold core American values.”
“It’s imperative that we come together as a country and reinforce the values and ideals that unite us,” added Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. “The peaceful transition of power is a cornerstone of American democracy, and regardless of politics the violence at the US Capitol does not reflect who we are as a nation.“
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce also urged for peace and unity: “Our leaders must call for peace and unity now. There is no room for violence in our democracy.”
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