There’s a pretty wide gulf between having controversial opinions on hot-button issues and expressing them to your friends and family, and being in the line of s

There’s a pretty wide gulf between having controversial opinions on hot-button issues and expressing them to your friends and family, and being in the line of succession for CEO (as well as the current brand owner) at one of the most well-known companies in America and going on Laura Ingraham without your employer’s consent to talk about your views. There’s an old saw about “you can be right, or you can be married.” Being right isn’t everything. Perceptions, relationships, and influence matters - and the higher you are in the career ladder, the most impact you have. You have to think about that impact with all the stakeholders in mind. It’s not just about you - it’s about your fellow employees and others who you influence, directly or indirectly (to the point of being able to put food on the table) by your actions.