Earlier this year, we provided some tips for not letting politics divide your workforce. But as the November election approaches, tempers are flaring. With partisans all over the ideological map eager to boycott companies for any perceived misstep, is staying neutral the right or wrong course?
Steven Olikara, president of Bridge Entertainment Labs, has hosted workshops at Coca-Cola Scholars, SXSW, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, and the Sundance Film Festival. He also appears in Van Jones' and Meghan McCain's documentary The Reunited States — championing the idea that business leaders have a pivotal role in depolarizing America. He told b. why and how he facilitates challenging discussions in the workplace.
b.: What are your thoughts on companies avoiding political stances?
Olikara: Businesses are right to avoid getting too red or too blue in a partisan way. But on the flip side, more than ever, the next generation of employees are looking to their companies … to represent their values and their broader purpose in life. If companies aren't doing right by their communities … they'll have trouble recruiting top young talent.
b.: How can companies navigate the perception that having values is political?
Olikara: One way to disrupt that polarization vortex is by having human, empathetic, open, listen-first types of conversations within your companies. When you have that kind of open exchange, you're often going to come up with better ideas. You'll not only humanize your fellow employees, but also apply the same rationale for why you want a diverse board or diverse teams…
My expression for those types of political conversations is jazz music. I grew up playing in jazz groups. … It's about co-creating ideas on the spot and riffing on each other's ideas. The more diverse the ensemble, the more interesting the ideas you'll get.
b.: Why shouldn't companies just focus on profits, especially if they're scared?
Olikara: Having this expertise at companies is important to the bottom line. Look at Disney's battle with Ron DeSantis. If you get tied up in divisive politics — and don't know how to take the right steps that are both helping to depolarize the situation as well as stand up for your employees — you're going to get hit in your bottom line…
The issue of polarization is tearing apart families and friend groups. It can become radioactive, even in businesses as well. I understand the fear that's out there. I actually don't believe the answer is just ignoring it or sweeping it under the rug.
I think the answer is exercising our bridging muscles. And that takes time. You can't ask people to run a marathon without ever training for it … but when you start to do that exercise, it becomes muscle memory, and people will all be better off for it.
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