THE LAST WORD ON… ACTIVISM

IT’S OFTEN HARD TO KEEP POLITICS SEPARATE FROM OUR DAY-TO-DAY. HERE’S HOW TO EMPOWER

Keeping things professional is a mainstay of working life. Once, the workplace was like a dinner party where politics and religion were rmly off limits. But things have changed…

Employees, especially younger ones, are more politically active thanks to social media and the immediate sharing of information. So how can businesses allow staff to publicly express their passions – whether that’s discussing climate change or a charitable cause – while still ensuring a professional service for clients?

Giving your team a platform for their activism won’t just make them feel seen and heard by your business, it’s good for business too, argues business coach Liz McKeon. “You can use social responsibility initiatives to advance business objectives. You can have a competitive advantage by being seen as a responsible business and attract new talent who will want to work with companies that share their beliefs. Staff will feel valued and will want to work harder and stay, you could also see positive public relations and press coverage from it.”

For Brian Leo McCallum, founder of ROAR Hair and Beauty, personal and political conversations keep the customer/stylist relationship alive: “We talk openly with guests about all the things we were taught years ago not to discuss – religion, politics, money. A healthy debate or difference in opinion helps a genuine relationship form between guest and hairdresser.”

Letting go and giving staff free rein to discuss what’s important to them is one thing; just ensure they don’t go against your brand’s wider purpose. “As a business, we encourage and support any employee activism that aligns with our mission, vision, and values,” explains Brian. “We will gladly share on social media and actively talk about fundraising with guests.

As a LGBTQ+ owned business and safe space, we understand how important it is to stand up for what you believe,” he adds.

But with multiple staff wanting to get their messages out there, could the conversation get crowded? Yes, and that’s why Liz advises leaders to “allocate a month to each person. Ask them to choose a cause they support and get creative with promoting to your community”.

Kubair Shirazee, leader of business consultancy AgiliTea, argues that such conversations can still be professional and workplace appropriate. He says: “Instead of implementing strict rules about discussing politics, focus on educating people about having respectful, open-minded conversations. Highlight the importance of understanding different perspectives, maintaining professionalism, and knowing when to agree to disagree.”

Whatever political discussions are being had in your business, effective management, including giving staff and clients space to vent and share, is key. But knowing when to step in and change the conversation matters too.