Early in my career, one of my mentors advised me to avoid discussing politics in any business interaction.

I found this advice difficult to follow, as politics were an intrinsic part of my life. My father was a vault of political opinions, and numerous members of family and close friends were politicians or somehow involved in politics.

Further, these folks were not necessarily politically aligned, but I always enjoyed the discussion and hearing all sides. Even as a pre-teen, I remember my father and aunt debating endlessly over the merits of which political party was better. Despite their often-heated discussions, I always appreciated that at the end of the night, their respect and care for each other never wavered and were never in question.

Fast-forward to today, and it seems there are even more divisive issues causing debates and frustration, not just in the United States, but worldwide. Social issues, wars and the COVID-19 pandemic created division in our country. We are also in the midst of an election season, so heightened awareness of “water cooler” conversations in the office is critically important.

I am proud to vote according to my beliefs and advocate for different causes, and I encourage others to do the same. I also strongly believe that both of these things should be done with respect for other people and their beliefs. There was a recent article in Forbes written by Bryan Robinson, Ph.D. where the author cited several studies that suggested employees would be likely to avoid the office leading up to and after the 2024 election, as it is an especially polarizing year. Most workers have returned to their offices in some capacity, reestablishing a work-life rhythm and developing new friendships, so keeping everyone focused on respecting one other and maintaining a positive work environment is crucial.

A diversity of ideas, opinions, experiences and backgrounds are key components of a successful business. Establishing a mission and communicating company goals and objectives are critical to maximizing the business opportunities. Avoiding the distractions of politics and/or hot button issues, where possible, is important. Chances are that only 10% of your employees are passionate about the election or current events, but 90 percent shouldn’t be distracted or feel threatened, so we should all expect respect.

Thankfully, I have not seen a lack of respect where I live and work, but I do see it other places — when I turn on the television, on social media and in overheard conversations. In my experience, people in service-oriented, respect-centered industries such as hospitality tend to approach potentially incendiary topics carefully. With that said, it is still the responsibility of leaders to ensure a positive, supportive work environment where their team can thrive and everyone feels welcome.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate politics in the workplace this election season, as well as some ways to better engage employees with their passions and the community.

I have no doubt that if I asked 100 leaders what makes them successful, all 100 would say their employees. Leaders should never allow an environment to fester that would make over half of their employees uncomfortable. Senior leaders and department heads should be aligned with the messaging and ensure a safe, flourishing environment for all, avoiding anything that could be considered divisive. We spend a lot of time and effort maintaining a professional business environment, and election season should not undermine that.

Create a sense of culture that emphasizes trust, transparency, relatability, teamwork, passion, and results-driven goals and objectives. Foster an environment where diverse opinions are respected and encouraged, and see how your team finds new ways to connect.

Find a common cause to rally around and perform some community service. Possible causes may include food banks, veterans, school children, health issues or people with special needs. Community service is an opportunity to share a common passion and purpose and do some good as a team.

Consider opening the office late on election day, or pick a day to close for early voting. This shows that you respect the process and your team's right to vote.

I look forward to the day when we can have a more open dialogue and even a healthy debate on the issues, much like my father and aunt did years ago. Until then, my primary objective is to create a positive work environment, give back to the community, and help support the lives of my employees and family, who have given so much.

Chris Russell is the CEO of Spire Hospitality. Prior to joining Spire in 2018, he was recruited by Archon Group, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to start and leading its in-house hotel management company, Archon Hospitality. Following the sale of the business in 2011, the Goldman Sachs hotel management division was rebranded as Pillar Hotels & Resorts, with Russell remaining president and CEO. In that role, he successfully managed over $2 billion in assets, a portfolio of 260 hotels in 45 states, and over 8,000 employees. He and his partners went on to sell the brand to Aimbridge Hospitality in 2016.

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