Q: The Super Bowl is over and now conversations will revert from Panthers or Broncos to 
– well, there are actually too many combinations of candidates to list. I don’t know how much longer I can side step these conversations. Aren’t politics off limits at work?
A: I can appreciate your situation: It seems that there is nowhere to run and no place to hide this political season. I found myself in an uncomfortable conversation with my accountant. It felt like “gotcha,” and by that I mean he asked me a question not to hear my answer but to explain his point of view. “Gotcha” questions provide the perfect opportunity to let the other take the lead. You may find it valuable to ask others the following:
- With so many candidates in the running, how did reach your current view?
- Is there an event or issue that would cause you to change?
- What impact will the outcome of the presidential election have on our industry? The economy?
- How do you think our international clients view us?
Eventually, you will have to talk politics. I always find that it is best to talk about the values and vision that I have for America vs. who I am “for” or “against.” Find your political voice
and follow your moral compass. You have time: the presidential tickets will be determined at the Republican Convention, July 18-21 in Cleveland and the Democratic Convention, July 25-28 in Philadelphia.