From Harvard Business Review · Nitin Nohria · · 1m 20s
CEOs and Public Voice
How CEOs should use their voice without overstepping.
In brief
How CEOs should use their voice without overstepping. Americans now expect CEOs to speak only on issues core to their company, not broader social issues. Originally reported by Harvard Business Review.
CEO Public Role
Newly appointed CEOs face questions about when to speak publicly on issues.
2018 Survey Results
65% of Americans thought CEOs should speak on social issues in 2018, now 55%.
Consumer Response
The share of consumers who changed purchases due to CEO stances doubled from 2018 to 2026.
2018 Context
Larry Fink urged CEOs to serve social purposes in January 2018 amid falling trust in government.
2022 Disney Case
Bob Chapek initially avoided speaking on Florida’s school curriculum bill but reversed after pressure.
Whose Voice
A CEO’s voice is borrowed from the company, employees, customers, and communities.
Tim Cook Example
Tim Cook refused to build an FBI tool for the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone in 2016.
Expectations
Each CEO statement creates expectations for future positions on other issues.
Memory of Stances
62% of Americans remember products they stopped using due to CEO stances in 2026.
Setting Boundaries
Leaders should write down what issues their company speaks on to avoid overstepping.
The big picture
Americans now expect CEOs to speak only on issues core to their company, not broader social issues.
