The corporate reaction to our questions was swift
but after the fact. I think most companies’ headquarters were genuinely surprised by the actions of their
colleagues on the chamber’s board. That leads us to a
“teachable moment.” Here are some ground rules I’ve
learned by observing companies closely:
; Decision making is best by having clarity on
your values. Credibility received for your professed values is dependent on your decisive execution of actions based on your values. This does not
preclude empathy and forgiveness for mistakes,
but values cannot be parsed without exposure to
repercussions.
; Your best possible business outcome is dependent on your ability to equitably execute on fair
and equitable treatment. People treated fairly
have a better relationship with you; better relationships transcend commodity pricing and increase
the quality of your revenue stream. Better relationships also increase employee engagement and
productivity and reduce regrettable loss.
Finally, especially for companies that are publicly
traded and/or regulated by the government (which,
in aggregate, includes just about every company),
there are some things to keep in mind regarding
communications, donations and membership:
; Communications sent in “secrecy” are worse
than no letter at all, as “secret” complaints consti-
tute tacit approval.
; An organization cannot stink selectively. The
chamber’s actions were anti-LGBT rights, period.
This cannot be parsed, and if your continued membership in an organization conflicts with your stated
values, then you have a problem across the entire
organization.
; Conflict in values produces brand damage and
potential exposure to lawsuits and is detrimental
to shareholder equity. Your personal opinions or
politics do not trump your organization’s need to do
business properly. This is especially true for leaders.
; In the age of Facebook and
Twitter, you cannot hide. Your
actions will be publicly evaluated and the resulting addition
or subtraction from your brand
image will have an impact on
your business.
If your continued
membership in
an organization
conflicts with your
stated values,
then you have
a problem
across the entire
organization.
Here is some food for thought
regarding human rights, business
and our LGBT neighbors:
Rights afforded to one group that
do not diminish another group’s
rights are what this country is all
about. This was the basis of women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights
Act and Americans with Disabilities Act—and it is
the basis of the lawsuit that overcame the anti-LGBT
Proposition 8 in California. The anti-LGBT forces
could not produce a single expert who could show that
same-sex marriage in any way diminished heterosexual
marriage. Married couples have certain legal rights,
and extension of those legal rights to same-sex couples
does not hurt heterosexual marriages and does not
force your house of worship to marry same-sex couples. Freedom from a state-run religion and freedom of
religion from the state are part of our Constitution.
Over the almost 14 years of
publishing DiversityInc, we’ve seen
the practice of managing diversity
become more effective by orders of
magnitude in the most competitive
companies. Questions about
diversity are now on 100 percent
of DiversityInc Top 50 companies’
requests for proposals (RFPs). This
directly communicates a statement of
values. The ripple effect of diversity
values is aggregating into a bow
wave as globalization is enhanced by
web and cell communications. This
gives companies unprecedented
opportunities—and unprecedented
responsibilities—that transcend nations.
This creates seemingly complex challenges, but I
don’t think they’re all that complex. If you have clarity
on your values, then don’t violate them; if you’re doing
business with a company that violates your values, you
are violating your values; and if you support or make a
donation to an organization that has facets that violate
your values, then you are violating your values.
Photo: Shutterstock
Here’s some personal advice if you think marriage is
for one man and one woman: Don’t marry someone of
your own sex.
We will all make mistakes. As Dr. Cornel West said
at one of our events, “We are all cracked vessels,” and
the public is very forgiving of a speedy and forthright
apology, particularly if it’s backed by redemptive action.
Such as, for example, resigning from the Tennessee
Chamber of Commerce. DI
