AM I NEXT? A CASUAL ENCOUNTER COSTS THE CEO HIS JOB

APRIL 27, 2021 — A CASUAL COMMENT CAUGHT ON VIDEO AND A CEO LOSES HIS JOB WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS VALUE TO THE COMPANY.

Nothing matters. Not the CEO’s education, experience, ability, skillset, previous performance, or future value to the company. The company caves.

Nashville, Tennesee-based Visuwell, an innovator in telemedicine delivering enterprise-ready telemedicine platform and solutions to 300+ hospitals, has announced that the company has terminated their CEO, Sam Johnson, for an imprudent remark on social media.

It appears that someone captured a video, now gone viral, of Johnson appearing to argue with gay high school senior, Dalton Stevens, over his choice to wear a red prom gown in an outdoor area of the Harpeth Hotel located in Franklin, Tennessee.

Succumbing to mob pressure on social media platforms, the company issued this statement...

"We unequivocally condemn the behavior exhibited by Sam Johnson in a recent video widely circulated on social media. After investigating the matter and speaking to individuals involved, the VisuWell Board of Directors has chosen to terminate Mr. Johnson from his position as CEO, effective immediately. Gerry Andrady, our President and COO, will lead the company through this important time.

VisuWell’s culture emphasizes respect, kindness, and compassion, especially for those from traditionally marginalized communities, and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for intolerance of any kind. Mr. Johnson’s actions contradicted the high standards we set for ourselves in promoting the health of those who use our platform.

We share the concerns that so many have expressed on this matter and look forward to announcing concrete steps we are taking in support of the LGBTQ community in particular over the coming weeks."

"In response to those asking for additional clarity on Sam Johnson’s termination as CEO, we can confirm that Mr. Johnson is no longer employed by VisuWell in any capacity. He no longer has a position on the Board of Directors or any informal advisory role. His behavior was not representative of our values, which include respect and compassion for all."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? WHY EVERYONE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

Political correctness should concern every employee in the nation, especially those working for companies displaying their “wokeness” by abandoning customers, donating money to dubious causes, or dismissing employees for little more than political reasons, no matter how employers may falsely justify such actions or dismissals.

Based on perception rather than performance, we have seen companies boycotted, blacklisted, and careers destroyed because of some perceived behavior deemed egregious by what is usually a small but vocal minority in the media or on social media platforms.

Even large companies are willing to sacrifice profits and personnel to please the mob. Especially when their executives are high-profile virtue-signaling media figures or their employees are eager to organize to force the company to bend to their favored political ideology.

Political correctness is an offshoot of an artificial morality created from those advancing a particular political ideology. It features twisted definitions and turns absurdities into realities to gain or maintain political power.

One useful warning sign is the appearance of coordinated inauthentic behavior on social media, also known as “astroturfing,” designed to mimic organic grass-roots activity to create artificial credibility.

A no-win situation...

Unfortunately, it may not be enough to be silent when all of those surrounding you are clamoring for action; it may be necessary to display the same behaviors affirmatively, which is the desired goal of those who have weaponized political correctness. You are forced into silence or to demonstrate your sympathy and allegiance to the mob.

The only answer is to protect yourself by creating multiple independent sources of income with side-hustles and developing skill-stacks that keep you relevant and employable in alternate but less political fields.

Those who control free speech and behaviors by managing online platforms are fast becoming a clear and present danger to our capitalist system, our economy, the health and growth of the enterprise, and of course, the future of employees.

Even worse, political correctness has infiltrated the public sector, where regulatory actions and discretionary decisions can be weaponized against businesses that do not support a particular political ideology, the current administration, or the gross wishes of an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy.

What’s most frightening about political correctness is that there are no forecastable outcomes or timelines in the foreseeable future.

ARE YOU TRASHING YOUR BRAND WITH POLITICAL CORRECTNESS?

There is little or no doubt that any employee or executive risks damaging their reputation and alienating a significant portion of its customers by supporting controversial political causes. Mostly on behalf of virtue-signaling and self-serving senior management. The resultant damage to the brand can be transient or long-lived depending on the degree of emotion invoked by the company's actions.

Levi Strauss, the iconic clothing manufacturer, has embarked upon a course of action that appears irresponsible...

Levi Strauss CEO Chip Bergh has written a column on Fortune.com...   

"As president and CEO of a values-driven company that’s known the world over as a pioneer of the American West and one of the great symbols of American freedom, I take the responsibility of speaking up on the important issues of our day very seriously. We can’t take on every issue. But as business leaders with power in the public and political arenas, we simply cannot stand by silently when it comes to the issues that threaten the very fabric of the communities where we live and work. While taking a stand can be unpopular with some, doing nothing is no longer an option."

"That’s why Levi Strauss & Co. is stepping up our support for gun violence prevention. You may wonder why a company that doesn’t manufacture or sell guns is wading into this issue, but for us, it’s simple. Americans shouldn’t have to live in fear of gun violence. It’s an issue that affects all of us—all generations and all walks of life."

"Our country has faced seemingly intractable issues like this before, but together we’ve overcome them. We can do it again. Together we can put an end to the gun violence epidemic in America."

Why it is problematical...

(1) Criminals, crazies, and terrorists do not respect nor obey the law. Therefore, more stringent gun control legislation does not reduce crime but creates a larger victim pool as law-abiding citizens are deprived of the means to defend themselves against people who want to harm them. 

(2) Areas with some of the most stringent gun control laws in the nation, also have outrageous rates of gun-related violence. Mostly in the inner cities where minority gangs appear to be in a constant state of war against each other.

(3)  The vast majority of gun owners engage in some form of recreational activities involving the purchase and use of the company's clothing. Thus, the company may alienate a significant portion of its customer base. 

(4)   The shareholders have no say in the actions the can significantly reduce revenues and in some cases damage the brand with a significant portion of the buying population. 

Likewise, Nike, the iconic shoe and apparel manufacturer has chosen a controversial representative...

Nike has engaged a controversial football player, Colin Kaepernick to represent its iconic brand. Kaepernick is the NFL player who "took a knee" during the playing of the National Anthem as a sign of protest against racial inequality. A display that is seen by many Americans as a sign of unpatriotic disrespect for the country that has provided Kaepernick with an income and lifestyle of the so-called one-percent.

"Nike just lost about $3.75 billion in market cap after announcing free agent NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the new face of its “Just Do It” ad campaign. It’s the 30th anniversary of the iconic TV and print spots."

For a company that is all about sports performance, it appears curious that it will support a marginal player who remains politically controversial. 

Best practices...

Personally and professionally it seems prudent to support local causes wherever and whenever possible. If one must support a national cause, it is helpful to support a non-controversial veterans, health, or disaster relief group.  

Are you wondering Am I Next?