Debbie Laskey's Blog: Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Susan Friesen

As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I will feature a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers.

Today, to continue the series, I've invited Susan Friesen to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia's premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she's an expert in helping businesses to establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity. Her passion for empowering female entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the marketing industry. As a Canadian, Susan shares a unique perspective about the recent American Presidential election.

QUESTION: In Lyn Chamberlin's article entitled, "When Brand Betrays Us," she wrote, "Branding is supposed to be about truth, or at least a piece of it. At its best, branding is storytelling, the kind that resonates, inspires, and speaks to who we are. But what happens when a brand warps into something sinister, built on lies, misinformation, and manipulation? What happens when a brand betrays not only our trust but our institutions?...Branding can empower, but it can also deceive. Trump's brand isn't just a lesson in how to build an indelible image. It's a cautionary tale — a reminder that without honesty and accountability, brand can become a weapon that betrays us all."

What are your thoughts?

(Read the full article here:

https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/p/when-brand-betrays-us)

SUSAN FRIESEN: As a Canadian, I find myself astonished by how Donald Trump has continually leveraged his brand positioning to amass such significant power. Dare I say, it's almost genius how he has managed to manipulate half of the U.S. population into believing his falsehoods. Watching this unfold, I've been gripped by a growing sense of incredulous fear as a dangerously misinformed movement seemed to take shape before my eyes. It was — and remains — deeply unsettling to see how this was even possible.

This is a stark example of brand positioning being wielded for harmful purposes, exploiting the deepest human fears and amplifying them to such an extent that even some of the most rational people I know are convinced Trump is the one to save America from impending doom. Ultimately, branding is merely a tool — a double-edged sword that can be used for good or as a weapon, as Lyn aptly points out. This sobering reality should serve as a wake-up call for us all to recognize how easily we can be influenced, for better or worse.

QUESTION: In Katie Rogers article in THE NEW YORK TIMES, she wrote, "The United States has been led by men for all of its 248 years, and that will continue for at least four more. On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris became the latest woman to fail to break the gender barrier to the presidency, and the second to be defeated by Donald Trump...The United States lags behind several other nations — Britain, Germany, Israel, India, Canada, and, this year, Mexico — which have chosen women as leaders. Men do still run the world, numerically. Only about a third of the countries in the United Nations have ever had a woman head of the government. Just 13 of the body’s 193 member countries are currently led by women, according to the Pew Research Center."

(Read the full article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/harris-woman-president.html)

In Dana Theus' post-election article entitled "Women, Power, and Fear," she wrote, "Three times in twelve years, an old white man, now a convicted felon, has run for the highest office in the land. When he ran against another, more qualified old white guy, he lost. Both times he ran against vibrant, more qualified women, he won. Looking at the pattern, I don't think it's defensible to blame the female candidates or their campaigns. I truly worry that the majority of our nation — women and men alike — simply do not trust women enough to give us power."

(Read the full article here:

https://inpowerwomen.substack.com/p/women-power-and-fear)

What were your thoughts about the election results?

SUSAN FRIESEN: From a Canadian standpoint, I feel our nation still has a long way to go for gender parity; however, if feels as if the U.S. is even further behind. I remember when Hillary Clinton was running for President and many of us felt she was not just the perfect candidate for the job, given her expertise and experience, but the polls also promised she would be the next president. But as we know, that wasn't the case, and it was devastating to watch the results come in on election day.

For this year's election, we knew it would be a closer race, but what I found the most disappointing was how many women were not only supporting Trump, but also vehemently hated Harris. And what I heard the most from these women were almost direct rhetoric quotes from the Trump campaign. I watched in disbelief how brain-washed they were who absolutely refused to see the facts and adamantly believed the lies, name calling, and bullish attacks that came from the MAGA Republicans.

If Trump has created a long-lasting movement that uses brand positioning for evil, manipulative ways, then democracy is definitely in peril, even for Canada where there are many fans of Trump's approach to undermining the government.

QUESTION: Katherine Spinney wrote an article entitled, "Silence Is Not the Answer," during a national crisis, however, her words deserve attention now. She wrote, "Silence is not the answer. If fact, it is one of the most damaging plans of action you can take. Despite hopes for the contrary, silence during this time will not shield you or protect you and it will not go unnoticed. Your staff are watching, waiting, begging for you to speak up. This moment in time is going to determine not just how others view you as a leader, but how they view you as a human being. Your words and actions during this time will not just impact your legacy as a leader — they will define it...What is true for all of us is that we must speak up."

How should leaders address the Presidential election results?

(Read the full article here:

https://katherinespinney.com/silence-is-not-the-answer/)

SUSAN FRIESEN: For many years, I have taken a neutral stance on contentious issues, fearing that I might "offend" someone who disagrees with my opinion. It's often advised to avoid discussing polarizing topics, like politics, on social media to prevent alienating potential clients. However, after witnessing the flood of hateful rhetoric on my social media feed during the recent U.S. election, I believe it's time to take a stand and lead with conviction — especially when it comes to women's rights.

This moment in history is pivotal for women's rights, and staying silent out of fear is no longer acceptable. This is an opportunity to use brand positioning for a purpose greater than simply increasing profits. It's about leveraging it for the greater good, creating a movement that attracts like-minded individuals to your brand and fosters positive change on all fronts. Leaders have a responsibility to speak their truth about the election results and should not hold back out of fear. Now is the time to stand up and lead with courage.

SHARE THIS: This moment in history is pivotal for women's rights, and staying silent out of fear is no longer acceptable. ~@eVisionMedia #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

SUSAN FRIESEN: When examining the state of employment from a broad perspective, I feel employees can generally be grouped into three categories: (1) those who are on a career track and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their ultimate goals; (2) those who feel trapped in their current workplace regardless of how their leader behaves; and (3) those who let their values and convictions guide their decisions about where to work.

In my view, it is only employees in the third category who are likely to hold their leaders accountable. These individuals are unafraid to speak out and voice their concerns because their decisions are rooted in their principles rather than fear of job loss. Interestingly, since they choose to work in environments aligned with their values, they are less likely to face retaliation from leaders who would behave in a manner consistent with those shared values.

The real question, then, is not "how" employees can keep their leaders honest, but whether they are willing to step outside their comfort zone, engage in difficult conversations, and potentially risk their position to uphold their principles.

QUESTION: In the years to come, what will you remember most vividly from the 2024 Presidential campaign and election?

SUSAN FRIESEN: As a small business brand strategist and someone deeply passionate about the power of messaging and values, what I'll remember most vividly about the 2024 Presidential campaign and election is the stark contrast between leadership rooted in integrity and manipulation disguised as strategy.

Watching the campaigns unfold, I was struck by the sheer polarization in rhetoric, particularly how some leaders skillfully tapped into fear and misinformation to build loyalty. It reminded me of the immense responsibility that comes with influence and how it can shape not just individual perceptions but entire movements. Equally memorable was the role women played — both as candidates and as voters — whether through their support or criticism, highlighting the ongoing battle for gender equality and the complexity of societal expectations.

What will stay with me, though, is the urgent reminder that staying silent is no longer an option — not for women, not for leaders, and certainly not for those of us who value integrity and want to leave a meaningful impact. This election reaffirmed that values and principles must guide our decisions, whether in politics or business, and that the courage to speak truth and stand for what's right is what truly defines leadership. It's a lesson that I'll continue to apply in my work, helping small businesses position their brands with authenticity and purpose in a world that desperately needs both.

Debbie Laskey's Blog

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Susan Friesen

SHARE THIS: This moment in history is pivotal for women's rights, and staying silent out of fear is no longer acceptable. ~@eVisionMedia #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Staying silent is no longer an option — not for women, not for leaders, and certainly not for those of us who value integrity and want to leave a meaningful impact. ~@eVisionMedia #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

No comments:

Post a Comment