"Corporate America's Gagging on Gun Control: A Crisis of Leadership"
For decades, corporate executives have been vocal on issues like gun control, immigration reform, and voting rights. They've even taken a strong stance on these topics, with over 150 major companies calling for legislation to address gun violence as a public health crisis.
But when it comes to the latest mass school shooting in Nashville, the silence from corporate America is deafening. Despite their past efforts to push for gun control, top executives seem reluctant to speak out now.
According to Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who has direct lines to major CEOs around the world, many are feeling frustrated and demotivated. They've made a difference in some areas, but their efforts haven't led to meaningful change on gun control legislation. Without more backing, they don't know what else they can do.
"We're waiting for everybody else to join us," Sonnenfeld said. "The social change that happened in the 1960s wasn't being led primarily by CEOs. Social changes really happen when we see interfaith activity, campus activism, and student movements."
However, Sonnenfeld notes that CEOs are not just taking a stance on gun control – they're also trying to build public trust. But without the rest of civil society joining them, it feels like they're carrying the burden alone.
In fact, many CEOs have taken a strong stance on gun control in the past, but now they're feeling burnt out. They've joined causes with valor and nobility, but they can't just be taking cause after cause as if there's nobody else in society.
The problem lies not with the CEOs themselves, but with the broader societal expectations surrounding corporate America. We expect CEOs to be saviors on every topic, but that's just not how leadership works.
"We've taken a very strong stance and gone out further than the general public," Sonnenfeld said. "We need others to now do something. Social capital is as valuable as financial capital. CEOs understand that in their souls, they want there to be social capital."
So what's behind this silence from corporate America? It's not because CEOs are getting tired of advocating – if anything, many continue to work on issues like voting rights and sustainability.
Rather, it's a crisis of leadership. We've turned to CEOs as our saviors on every topic, but that's just not sustainable. Without the rest of civil society joining them, corporate America can't make a meaningful difference.
As one executive noted, "We're ready for others to now do something." The question is – will they listen?
For decades, corporate executives have been vocal on issues like gun control, immigration reform, and voting rights. They've even taken a strong stance on these topics, with over 150 major companies calling for legislation to address gun violence as a public health crisis.
But when it comes to the latest mass school shooting in Nashville, the silence from corporate America is deafening. Despite their past efforts to push for gun control, top executives seem reluctant to speak out now.
According to Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who has direct lines to major CEOs around the world, many are feeling frustrated and demotivated. They've made a difference in some areas, but their efforts haven't led to meaningful change on gun control legislation. Without more backing, they don't know what else they can do.
"We're waiting for everybody else to join us," Sonnenfeld said. "The social change that happened in the 1960s wasn't being led primarily by CEOs. Social changes really happen when we see interfaith activity, campus activism, and student movements."
However, Sonnenfeld notes that CEOs are not just taking a stance on gun control – they're also trying to build public trust. But without the rest of civil society joining them, it feels like they're carrying the burden alone.
In fact, many CEOs have taken a strong stance on gun control in the past, but now they're feeling burnt out. They've joined causes with valor and nobility, but they can't just be taking cause after cause as if there's nobody else in society.
The problem lies not with the CEOs themselves, but with the broader societal expectations surrounding corporate America. We expect CEOs to be saviors on every topic, but that's just not how leadership works.
"We've taken a very strong stance and gone out further than the general public," Sonnenfeld said. "We need others to now do something. Social capital is as valuable as financial capital. CEOs understand that in their souls, they want there to be social capital."
So what's behind this silence from corporate America? It's not because CEOs are getting tired of advocating – if anything, many continue to work on issues like voting rights and sustainability.
Rather, it's a crisis of leadership. We've turned to CEOs as our saviors on every topic, but that's just not sustainable. Without the rest of civil society joining them, corporate America can't make a meaningful difference.
As one executive noted, "We're ready for others to now do something." The question is – will they listen?
they used to be all about making a change but now they're just mum on gun control. it's not like they've never taken a stand before, they have! but maybe the message isn't getting through or something. sonnenfeld's right tho, social change needs more than just corporate America leading the charge 
we need people from all walks of life coming together to make a difference. and btw, what's with this expectation that CEOs are saviors on every topic? they're human beings too, not superheroes 
their silent on gun control and it's like they think someone else is gonna come along and fix the problem... newsflash: nobody's coming to save them 
. and honestly, i don't blame them for feeling burnt out 
they've been taking on this issue for years and what do they have to show for it? nothing 
. we need more people from different walks of life coming together to make a change, not just some CEOs with a PR team 
. it's time for the rest of us to step up and take ownership of our voices 
. I mean, we've seen them rally behind gun control in the past, but now it's like they're just waiting for someone else to take the lead 
.
. And let's be real, we can't rely solely on CEOs to carry the burden of social capital 
. But times have changed, and I think we've created a culture where CEOs feel like they're under pressure to be everything to everyone 
. Newsflash: being a leader doesn't mean you can do it all on your own 
. We need to acknowledge that leadership is not just about tweeting or speaking at events – it's about rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in the fight for change 
.
... all these big companies are vocal on gun control in the past, but when it comes to actually making a difference after a mass shooting like this one, they're all quiet. It's not that they don't care, or haven't tried before - it's just that everyone keeps expecting them to solve everything.
. They think by speaking out on gun control or climate change, they're making a difference. Newsflash: their money and influence aren't enough to actually drive real change 
.
. So, yeah, let's not be surprised when corporate America stays silent on gun control – it's just another example of us expecting them to fix everything while we stand by and do nothing 
.
️. i think it's because we've put way too much pressure on them to be the ones solving all our problems 
. and btw, what's up with this "social capital" thing? is it like a new currency now 
. i mean, theyve been vocal on so many issues before and done some actual good stuff too. but now theyre just chillin on gun control? that dont make sense to me.
. Leadership is a team effort, not just one person's responsibility 
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. Let's not forget that social change is what happens when we see interfaith activity, campus activism, and student movements all coming together