Last week, I was three miles into my morning run through Germantown when my phone started buzzing. A major news story had broken, and within hours, my inbox was full of hot takes and think pieces. Everyone’s weighing in—and I felt I had to, too.
Sound familiar?
As business leaders, we're increasingly expected to weigh in on everything. But here's what I've learned after years of running companies: Not every moment requires your voice, and strategic silence can be more powerful than rushed statements.
The Hidden Cost of Speaking Too Soon
During one particularly heated news cycle, I watched a fellow CEO rush to release a statement within hours of a breaking story. He wanted to show leadership. Three days later, as more facts emerged, his hasty statement looked tone-deaf. The backpedaling damaged relationships he'd spent years building.
That experience reinforced something crucial: Being first matters far less than being thoughtful. As a business leader, your words have a significant impact on your team's morale, customer relationships, and company reputation. Once they're out there, you can't take them back.
Pro-tip: Even “personal” social accounts can impact your professional life. Be mindful of everything you put out into the world, from crafted press releases to one-off tweets.
Your Three-Question Framework
Before commenting on any current event, I run it through my "Three-Gate Test":
Gate 1: Is this directly relevant to my business or industry? If a new housing regulation passes or there's a shift in real estate markets, my expertise adds value. If it's about cryptocurrency when I don't deal in crypto? My opinion only adds noise.
Gate 2: Do I have unique insight to offer? Can I provide a perspective that others can’t? As someone part of a family-owned, family-operated business with a valued team of employees, I have insights into workforce issues. On foreign policy? Not so much!
Gate 3: Will speaking serve my stakeholders? Will my comments help employees feel supported? Will they provide clarity for customers? Or am I speaking to satisfy external pressure? Be honest here.
If any answer is "no," silence might be your best strategy.
When Silence Speaks Volumes
There's an old saying in endurance running: "Run your own race." The same applies to business leadership. You don't need to match every competitor's statement or respond to every trending topic.
Strategic silence isn't weakness—it's discipline. It shows you're thoughtful, not reactive.
Crafting Your Response (When You Must Speak)
Sometimes silence isn't an option. When an event directly impacts your industry or community in a way that demands a response, here's how to approach it:
Take 24-48 hours minimum. Unless there's an immediate safety concern, give yourself time to gather facts and reflect. Let emotions settle.
Consult your inner circle. I have three trusted advisors, including my wife Michelle, whom I run sensitive statements by. They'll catch what I might miss.
Focus on your sphere of influence. Instead of making broad political statements, talk about what you're doing within your company or community.
Be human, not corporate. Let your authentic voice come through. People can smell canned PR statements a mile away!
Building Your Communication Strategy
Rather than scrambling to respond to each news cycle, develop a clear philosophy:
Define your lanes. What topics align with your expertise? For me, it's leadership development, community building in the Memphis area, and real estate insights. Everything else? I'm comfortable staying quiet.
Establish your values publicly. When your core values are already clear, you don't need to restate them every time a related issue arises.
Create internal guidelines. Make sure your team knows when and how your company responds to current events. This prevents mixed messages.
Your Voice, Your Choice
As I write this from my home office, I can see my youngest kids playing in the backyard. They remind me that my primary responsibility isn't to be a commentator on every world event: it's to run my businesses well, support my community meaningfully, and model thoughtful leadership.
You don't owe anyone a hot take. Your job is to lead with integrity, serve with excellence, and speak when your voice truly adds value.
The next time you feel pressured to comment on current events, pause. Run it through your framework. Remember that in a world full of noise, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is focus on the work that only you can do.
Your Turn: How do you decide when to speak on current events? What principles guide your communication strategy? Share your approach—let's learn from each other's experiences.