FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 3, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Jones | erin@inmodemarketing.com | 502.774.0767
LEAD AT ANY LEVEL LLC® FOUNDER & CEO AMY C. WANINGER’S M.O FOR “TRUE PATRIOTISM” IN 2023 THIS JULY 4TH HOLIDAY AND BEYOND
A take-action plan for American companies to truly “walk the walk “in today’s workplace
Lead at Any Level LLC(LAAL) Founder & CEO Amy C. Waninger, a breakthrough innovator for equality in the workplace, has developed her template, “True Patriotism,” for the corporate world to honor the 4th of July holiday, just days away.
What it’s all about for business organizations, management, their associates, and employees, and how must it be practiced 365/24/7, regardless of political ramifications or public climate? Check out Amy’s take on what the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted as the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and what it still stands for 247 years later, in 2023, as follows:
True Patriotism: U.S. Companies Must Take a Stand for Our Democracy.
American companies love to tout their patriotism. They sponsor local parades, fireworks displays, and historical documentaries. But companies must also play a role in standing up for the freedoms they claim to support. True patriotism is not blind fealty to red, white, and blue propaganda. Quite the contrary. True patriotism requires us to push to become the country we describe in our unifying vision statement and collective values: equality, opportunity, and freedom from tyranny.
Draw a Clear Line that Aligns with Your Values.
Does your company make clear the lines it will not cross? Determine what behavior, rhetoric, or policies you will not support. Look to the ethics guidelines for your industry or profession. Reinforce these standards at every opportunity. Explicitly and clearly state why these lines matter to your company. Be ready to hold anyone and everyone – associates, executives, vendors, clients – accountable who cross the line.
Be Transparent with Campaign Contributions.
Your company probably makes contributions to political campaigns and political action committees. These donations often support candidates who would advocate for tax policies or
(de)regulation that the company sees as advantageous. Ensure you’re actively filtering out recipients who cross the ethical lines you’ve already established. And, are you transparent
about where these dollars go? If you still need to, you’re scratching your line (see above) with these contributions. Your shareholders, customers, and employees deserve to know what policies are being supported in their names. And they have every right to call you out on hypocrisy, which the press may get its hands on…not pretty.
Make Election Day a Paid Holiday.
Elections matter. And the right to free and fair elections is the cornerstone of our republic. Ask yourself if your company is doing everything it can to ensure the accessibility and integrity of elections. You can start by making Election Day a paid company holiday. Apply this policy to both salaried and hourly workers. You can go even further—host voter registration drives. Encourage employees to vote with internal marketing campaigns. Provide information about how employees can volunteer at the polls.
Refrain from crossing the Line with Your Feet or Dollars.
You’re probably already watching the legislative dockets at the state and federal levels. After all, sound risk management requires you to know if new regulations will threaten your business operations. Make sure you’re also watching for laws that will harm your employees and customers. Ask your Employee Research Leaders (ERG leaders) what concerns their members have about the rules under consideration.
Use your power to advocate for your employees. Commit to doing business in states with broad support for human rights. Only ask employees to travel to places they or their colleagues are safe. Demand that industry conferences boycott states where your employees’ safety is threatened.
True Patriotism Requires Action.
Let’s face it: our nation is under attack. Targeted misinformation campaigns from our adversaries; a coup that would destroy our right to self-govern (and still seeks to do so); the rise of fascism, hate groups, and white nationalist terror cells; unprecedented levels of gun violence. Corporate leaders need to take explicit steps NOW. Not just to preserve their institutions but to co-create the nation they claim to love.