SOCIALISM VS. CAPITALISM: MY VIEWS SHARED ON FOX NEWS
“Really? What are you Switzerland?”
ARTICLE SUMMARY
A street interview with Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery became an opportunity for a playful answer to a political question. I recount the exchange about socialism and capitalism, then consider the wider question of how much of a personal political position a business leader should share publicly.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
My response in the interview was deliberately humorous.
The article uses the exchange to raise questions about political expression by business leaders.
I shared my political standpoint when asked on Fox News regarding “socialism and capitalism”. I was interviewed on the street by Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, Fox Network's TV host. When Montgomery asked whether I preferred socialism or capitalism, my response surprised her.
Without hesitation, I answered, “Totally neutral.”
With a quick response Montgomery asked, “Really? What are you Switzerland?”
“I’m Canadian,” I replied and then went on to elaborate on my choice, “Show me a fence and I will sit on it – is my stance.”
I was obviously playing with her and the question, giving a fun response that would get her and their viewers going.
But should a CEO of a company share their political choices? According to “The New CEO Activists,“ by Aaron K. Chatterji and Michael W. Toffel, companies have followed and supported political views that they believed in for a long time. In addition, they’ve been publicly open about their choices and financially supportive to them.
Also mentioned in “The New CEO Activists,“ Brian Moynihan, Bank of America’s CEO told the Wall Street Journal, “Our jobs as CEOs now include driving what we think is right.” He went onto say, “It’s not exactly political activism, but it is action on issues beyond business.”
But can your opinion kill your business? Is it good not to tell everyone about everything you’re thinking? Is it good to keep people guessing? Is it safe that you haven’t confirmed or sided with a view? Or is it even right to stay neutral to political views?
Whatever your stance, you can’t help but laugh.
George Stroumboulis speaks with Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery during a street interview in New York.
LISA KENNEDY MONTGOMERY
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