The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 237: The Fallout: MillerKnoll and Clearlink's Pitiful Employee Town Halls
Employee well-being should be at the forefront of every CEO’s mind, not only because it is the right thing to do from a humanistic perspective, but also because your reputation as a leader and the longevity of your company depends on it. Since the pandemic, employees are no longer willing to put up with being treated disrespectfully, and many customers are no longer willing to buy from companies who treat their employees in such a manner.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the tirades that the CEOs of MillerKnoll and Clearlink went on during their virtual town hall meetings, how these meetings turned into viral videos, and the damage they have done. A rallying cry and a demeaning rant are two completely different things, and as a leader in today’s incredibly interconnected world, it is imperative that you are mindful of how you speak to your team.
Key Points From This Episode:
- What the role of a CEO entails.
- Why some customers are boycotting MillerKnoll.
- How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the working world.
- The question that sparked Andi Owen’s tirade during a company town hall meeting.
- Problems with the way Andi Owen responded to the backlash against the video of her town hall meeting that went viral.
- Why prioritizing employee wellbeing is essential to a company’s success.
- Advice for holding a virtual town hall meeting.
- The rant made by Clearlink’s CEO during their virtual town hall meeting.
- Today’s Indestructible PR® tip: be mindful of what you say and how you treat your team!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Out of Touch CEO RIDICULES Employees Who Asked About Bonuses
The World’s Worst CEO BLASTS Nearly Everyone In His Company
Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.
Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media
Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.
This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself.
Follow & Connect with Molly: