Corporate America's silence on gun regulation is jarring after the latest mass shooting at a school in Nashville. What was once expected of CEOs - to be vocal advocates for change - has now become a point of frustration.
According to Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale professor and expert on corporate social responsibility, CEOs have joined causes with valor and nobility, but they can't just take cause after cause without others doing their part. The social change that happened in the 1960s wasn't led primarily by CEOs. It was when clergy locked arms with legislators, campuses came alive, and students took action.
The problem is that CEOs are not just hired hands for shareholders to fill the role of politicians. They're there to join a chorus, but they don't want to be the only ones singing. Sonnenfeld says this complacency among Americans stems from CEOs taking a strong stance on issues like gun control and then expecting others to follow suit.
In reality, big business has reduced campaign contributions since 2020. In fact, some companies have even given mere pennies to politicians after the January 6 US Capitol riot. This perception that CEOs are in control of campaign purse strings is 100% wrong.
Sonnenfeld points out that CEOs are not immune to market forces and economic realities. Tesla's recent sales data, for example, shows a modest 4% rise in sales in the first quarter despite price cuts on lower-priced vehicles. The company still produced more vehicles than it sold in the last four quarters, which may be due to increased production at new factories.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said that offering products with value at affordable prices would not worry about demand. However, this seems to contradict recent statements from his company, as the first quarter marked the fourth straight quarter that Tesla has produced more vehicles than it delivered to customers.
Sonnenfeld highlights that social capital is just as valuable as financial capital for CEOs. They want public trust, but they need others in civil society to join them. This frustration among CEOs suggests a shift in their role from advocating solely on behalf of shareholders to using their power and influence to drive broader change.
According to Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale professor and expert on corporate social responsibility, CEOs have joined causes with valor and nobility, but they can't just take cause after cause without others doing their part. The social change that happened in the 1960s wasn't led primarily by CEOs. It was when clergy locked arms with legislators, campuses came alive, and students took action.
The problem is that CEOs are not just hired hands for shareholders to fill the role of politicians. They're there to join a chorus, but they don't want to be the only ones singing. Sonnenfeld says this complacency among Americans stems from CEOs taking a strong stance on issues like gun control and then expecting others to follow suit.
In reality, big business has reduced campaign contributions since 2020. In fact, some companies have even given mere pennies to politicians after the January 6 US Capitol riot. This perception that CEOs are in control of campaign purse strings is 100% wrong.
Sonnenfeld points out that CEOs are not immune to market forces and economic realities. Tesla's recent sales data, for example, shows a modest 4% rise in sales in the first quarter despite price cuts on lower-priced vehicles. The company still produced more vehicles than it sold in the last four quarters, which may be due to increased production at new factories.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said that offering products with value at affordable prices would not worry about demand. However, this seems to contradict recent statements from his company, as the first quarter marked the fourth straight quarter that Tesla has produced more vehicles than it delivered to customers.
Sonnenfeld highlights that social capital is just as valuable as financial capital for CEOs. They want public trust, but they need others in civil society to join them. This frustration among CEOs suggests a shift in their role from advocating solely on behalf of shareholders to using their power and influence to drive broader change.
. It's like they're waiting for everyone else to step up before taking a stance themselves. And honestly, it feels like some CEOs just don't get it - they think their wealth and influence speak for itself 
. Newsflash: just because you have the cash doesn't mean you're entitled to make all the noise 
. It's time for these corporate leaders to stop being so tone-deaf and start using their power for good 
. And btw, how come they always seem to expect others to follow their lead without putting in any actual effort 
?
. I mean, come on, CEOs should be leading the charge on gun regulation and other important issues, but instead they're taking a step back and expecting everyone else to follow suit 
. It's like they think their money and influence are enough to drive change on their own 
. I remember when CEOs were supposed to be brave and vocal about social issues, but now it seems like they're more concerned with avoiding controversy 
. We need more leaders who are willing to speak out and take a stand, especially on something as important as gun control 
.
. I think we're seeing a shift in their role from being just shareholders' puppets to using their power and influence to drive broader change 
. Let's hope that more CEOs take a stand and lead the way on some of these important issues 
. I mean, have you seen the sales data for Tesla? They're doing pretty well despite price cuts 
. And yeah, Sonnenfeld makes a good point about social capital being important too 
. Can't CEOs just join the conversation instead of trying to lead the charge all by themselves? It's not like they can dictate change on their own 
. Like, what's the point of Tesla having a 4% sales rise if you still produce more vehicles than you can sell? It just goes to show that some folks don't want to put in the effort to make a difference. The whole thing is kinda frustrating 
. I mean, what's up with all the ' silence' on this issue? Back in the day, CEOs were like, super vocal about social causes... now they just want everyone else to do their part 
. It's not like they're the only ones with power or something 
. Get your priorities straight, CEOs!
it's like, CEOs are supposed to be leaders, not just corporate faceplants 
and less excuses for inaction 
it's all about making money for shareholders, I get it... but what about the people they're actually affecting with their products? 
.
! You can't just take up space on a billboard and expect everyone to follow suit 
. The problem is that CEOs are feeling pressure to be vocal, but they don't want to be the only ones singing 
.
. It's time for corporate America to get real and start using their power for good 
. We can't rely on them alone to fix everything; we need everyone in civil society working together towards a common goal 
.
but now they're just expected to join the cause without putting in the real work.
. And don't even get me started on the whole campaign contributions thing - that's straight up weird 
. I mean, we're not gonna get any results just from corporate America being nice 
. It's like they think being vocal makes them the only ones doing anything about it... 
. Big business isn't all about making shareholders happy, and CEOs need to remember that 
they used to be super vocal, but now theyre just chillin' 
theres been some major changes since the 60s when social movements were all about clergy and students comin together 
campuses were super active and thats where the real change came from 
... it's not all about being vocal advocates; they need others in civil society to join the chorus 
.
. Can't wait to see how this plays out
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