Should you let your customers know about your personal and political opinions?
For many years, I advised my clients to keep their personal and political views private and to choose non-controversial charities for their companies to support.
My recommendation was based on the idea that some people who disagree with you may decide not to do business with you for that reason. And when you look at all the companies that are being boycotted for various reasons, that thought may be valid. But I don’t follow that advice anymore. And I offer an enthusiastic high five to entrepreneurs and business leaders who don’t worry about making anyone mad by being honest about who they are and what they believe.
My husband, Jerry Clement, and I are partners in Tuscawilla Creative Services. We are people of faith, politically and fiscally conservative, and socially moderate. More important from the business perspective is that we offer great products and services.
There was a time when I was careful to keep my faith and political/social views separate from my work because I didn’t want to risk alienating a client who might feel differently. That became impossible when I was called to write Words to Work By: 31 devotions for the workplace based on the Book of Proverbs. My next book was Finding Joy in the Morning: You can make it through the night, advice on how to get through difficult times illustrated by my personal experiences of how God and my Christian faith have helped me overcome challenges.
I began looking for a way to visibly combine my faith with decades of business writing and experience. The result was Faith Works, a series of ebooks and other products (Faith Works Images is in development and should launch next month) designed for people who don’t leave their faith at the door when they go to work. Faith Works offers sound business information and advice without suggesting that you separate who you are at your core from who you are at work.
While I keep most of my social commentary and political thoughts on my personal blog, Jacquelyn Lynn's Blog, I let readers of this site know they can go there to find out more about who I am and what I think.
If our faith and personal opinions stop you from doing business with us, so be it. If they cause you to do business with us, that’s cool. And if you choose to do business with us because of our great products and services regardless of where we both stand on religious, political and social issues, you’re smart.
You may have heard the saying that the only place vanilla wins is with ice cream. That may be true statistically, although I prefer chocolate. But the point is, deep down inside, not one of us is truly “plain vanilla.”
So go ahead: Be yourself. Take a position, show what flavor you truly are and see what happens. Then share your story below.
Jacquelyn's latest book is Christian Business Almanac: The Ultimate Daily Guide for Kingdom-Driven Entrepreneurs and Leaders.
She is the author of the nonfiction books Simple Facts About Self-Publishing (Second Edition), Words to Work By: 31 devotions for the workplace based on the Book of Proverbs and Finding Joy in the Morning: You can make it through the night as well as the novel Choices (A Joyful Cup Story). With her husband, she is the co-creator of several coloring books for adults and the novelty My Book About series.
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. Although you and I don’t always share the same views politically, I love knowing I can always count on you for your honestly. I know exactly where you stand, and I know you to be a woman of integrity…and, of course, a great writer.
Thanks, Davina. You have been a wonderful friend and colleague — and it would be a shame if we let a few political differences (noting that we don’t disagree on everything!) get in the way of that.