SPECIAL REPORT: Politics And Business
Published: Mon, 01/30/17
business together.
For one thing, I'm not a zealot. I'm not liberal,
orconservative, or Democrat or Republican.
I look at the issue, the person and decide if it's
worth spending time and energy on, or if it's best
left to others to slug it out. Usually it's the second one.
So when something goes to the heart of our democracy,
and presents a real threat to our libertty, or separation
of powers, or compromises our moral center, it's not
only a political issue, it's a business issue.
You won't have a stabile business environment or level
playing field if the rules of the game aren't fairly enforced.
And for those who say China or Russia are examples of
places where you can be prosperous, I'd remind you to
look at how much freedom of thought or movement there
actually is.
One wrong turn by an individual, or one hand not greased
properly, and the iron hand of the state comes crashing
down on you.
I'm not willing to live in an environment where politics is
blood sport. I won't get angry over issues where there isn't
a clear right and wrong...where there are honest differences
of opinion.
And I won't poison personal relationships with people who
disagree with me if they're acting in good conscience.
And if there's a place for my voice to be heard on issues
where it actually makes a difference, I'll do it there. I'll let
a Congressperson know how I feel.
Or I'll attend the committee meeting (note...most of what
affects you directly happens at the local level, not the
federal level). Maybe I'll even get on the committee itself!
Sometimes there IS a reason to take a public stand, as I did
with President Trump's executive order to ban travelers from
the seven Muslim countries, and the implication he would
give preferential treatment to Christians.
From a business and a moral perspective, it's OK to let
people see where you stand.
I didn't attack those who disagreed, other than if the disagreement
was about ignorant discrimination against Islam. There is simply
no evidence the travel ban would have any effect on terrorism,
as none of the countries affected has produced anyone who is
responsible for Amercian deaths by terrorist attack.
If people see a principled argument, and choose not to consider
my products or work with me, I can live with that.
I've screened out others, not because of their politics,
but because I felt their way of disagreeing influenced their
judgement. I lost trust in their ability to give me what I want.
If someone's politics or idelogy is hateful, it's pretty unlikely
they'll wind up on my friends list, or be one of my subscribers.
If someone's politics is in disagreement with what
I believe - and hat could be either "liberal" or "conservative"
I'll hear them out.
That's how we grow...by listening to dissenting opinions and
measuring them against our understanding of the world.
If you're a businessperson, decide if your politics is important
enough to place ahead of your marketing. Sometimes it might be.
But pick your spots carefully.
As has been said, you get one chance to make a first impression.
And sometimes that could be the last one.
Yours In Prosperity,
Larry Hochman