How can leaders start advancing social change authentically within their companies?

Leaders can start advancing social change authentically within their companies by identifying key issues and building on issue fluency. This approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the specific challenges and needs of the organization and its stakeholders. By recognizing and focusing on critical social issues, leaders can develop informed strategies that resonate with both employees and the larger community.

Building issue fluency involves not just knowing what the issues are, but also understanding their complexity, history, and the context in which they exist. This knowledge enables leaders to communicate effectively and engage their teams in meaningful ways, fostering a culture of inclusivity and awareness. When leaders take the time to address the most pressing concerns and engage with them thoughtfully, it empowers employees to contribute to positive social change, making initiatives more genuine and sustainable.

Other approaches, such as focusing solely on trending social movements, may lack authenticity and could be perceived as opportunistic. Similarly, emphasizing profit over principles fundamentally undermines the social change efforts by prioritizing financial gain over the commitment to meaningful impact. Relying only on employee feedback without a clear understanding of key issues may lead to an uninformed or fragmented approach that fails to create lasting change.