Nathan Christensen, former CEO of Mineral and advisor to Mitratech.
CEOs and business leaders are navigating a complex and highly charged environment today. Political tensions are high, and trust in democratic institutions is low. These dynamics are closely linked and, when coupled with a presidential race, create risks for businesses and society alike.
Despite these challenges, there is one area where trust remains high: the workplace. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer (download required) shows that while confidence in institutions like the government and media is low, trust in employers and CEOs remains strong. Nearly 80% of employees trust their employers to do what is right.
Regardless of the election’s outcome, many people, including some in your workforce, might be feeling anger, fear, disappointment or frustration. Indeed, the American Psychological Association reported that 69% of American adults said the 2024 presidential election is a significant source of stress, up from 52% in 2016. The trust employers and CEOs have earned places them in a unique position to guide their organizations and foster a healthy, constructive environment for both employees and the communities that surround them.
For many CEOs, however, engaging in political discussions can feel risky. I understand the hesitation. CEOs are constantly working to build alignment, trust and collaboration among their stakeholders, and weighing in on politically charged issues can feel counterproductive. We’ve all seen examples of companies and CEOs facing backlash for taking political stances.
But there’s an important distinction between taking a political stance and leading your team through divisive times. Elections can create distraction, division and tension within organizations, even if it’s below the surface. According to a press release from the Society for Human Resource Management, 190 million acts of incivility occur each day in American workplaces. Today, 47% of workers cite political differences as a contributor to these acts, a 27% increase from the second to third quarter of this year. Without clear leadership, such divisions can deepen and disrupt the workplace. Proactive leadership, on the other hand, can help mitigate and heal them.
Further, supporting our democratic system can also support business growth. Researchers at MIT found that implementing democratic governance increases economic growth. Brookings also explained that healthy democracies are better at managing markets; invest in public goods, like education, healthcare and infrastructure; and create constructive outlets for differing views. In contrast, countries with declining democratic systems experience stagnation, instability and talent flight—all of which create headwinds for economic growth.
Here are five steps CEOs can take to navigate an election and its aftermath.
1. Reaffirm clear guidelines on political expression at work.
Take the opportunity to republish or announce your company’s policies on political expression. Some workplaces restrict it, while others allow or even encourage respectful discussion and expression. The specific policy is less important than making sure it’s clear, communicated and fosters a respectful environment for all employees.
2. Promote non-violence and constructive action.
Emotions often run high during and after an election, but it’s essential to stress that frustration and disappointment must not escalate into violence. Instead, encourage employees to channel their energy into productive avenues like volunteer work, advocacy or community engagement.
3. Encourage sensitivity and respect.
Elections can leave some employees feeling uplifted and others feeling deeply disappointed. Reinforce the importance of empathy in the workplace, and ensure that those feeling upset by election results have the time and space to process their emotions.
4. Rebuild team unity.
Following an election, focus on rebuilding unity. Organizing company meetings, volunteer activities, service projects or simply highlighting the positive impact of your business can help reconnect employees around shared values and a common purpose. A study by Deloitte found that volunteer opportunities at work strengthen employees’ connection to their employer and colleagues, boost their sense of fulfillment and improve teamwork. These collective efforts can help your team heal past divisions and move forward together.
5. Expand democratic participation in future elections.
Democracy thrives when everyone participates. Inside your organization, you’ve likely emphasized that every voice matters. Apply the same principle to civic engagement year-round. Express confidence in our electoral system, and encourage and empower employees to vote in future elections by offering paid time off on election days, providing resources to help employees find and reach their polling locations, bringing voter registration drives on-site or simply making election days a “no meeting” day. The message should be clear: We believe in the democratic process, and no one should have to choose between earning a paycheck and casting a vote.
Political elections can present challenges for businesses, and it’s certainly easier to avoid the subject altogether. But leadership isn’t about choosing the easy path. It’s about guiding your team through difficult moments and ultimately creating a healthy, cohesive environment where your people and communities can thrive.
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