Episode 15: What not to do as a business owner when tragedy strikes

I’m recording this in the week that Hamas terrorists launched a horrendous attack on Israeli civilians. And then the Israeli government retaliated against civilians in Gaza. 

But, as the horrendous situation unfolds on the ground, a familiar story is playing out online. Statements, condemnations, calls to support, arguments, confusion, hate, prejudice. 

I am not a geo-political expert. I have a rudimentary understanding of the history and context of the Israeli-Palestinian situation. I have many half-formed thoughts on oppression, terrorism, and global powers. 

But I also have a deep empathy for the humans stuck in the middle of all this. Whichever side of the border they sit. 

We still don’t know how to address issues that blend political ideologies with human suffering. 

And, as business owners, that’s a problem. Because we’re all expected to have something to say. 

So, either we copy and paste something that someone else has said because we feel it aligns with our values (hey, no shade if that’s what you want to do). 

Or we completely ignore the issue because we’re scared of getting cancelled or of getting something wrong and hurting someone. 

So, because this is really why The Soap Box exists, today I’m going to talk about what not to do as a business owner when a sensitive political issue, a tragedy, or a conflict flashes up on your phone screen… and what to try instead. 

My wish today is that you take something from me that helps you make more human connections in the midst of confusion. 

Naomi Kleins new book, Doppelganger
Molly Mcpherson on TikTok
Molly's Forbes article on the perfect online apology
Anti-Racism Daily on the Israeli-Hamas conflict
BBC News on the Israeli-Hamas conflict

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