Don’t Go There: Taboo Topics in Business

I just attended a small business roundtable group which serves as a forum for entrepreneurs seeking business advice and mentoring. The facilitator couldn’t be there so we were on our own to lead the discussion with a couple of suggested topics. Unfortunately that led to trouble.

We started out talking about economic projections but a couple of people moved the discussion to politics. Only a few people participated in the political conversation and they all seemed to agree with each other. There seemed to be an assumption that we all felt the same way. I was very uncomfortable and I suspect I wasn’t the only one.

I found myself questioning if I wanted to associate or do business with these people, who at best were simply clueless at worst downright rude. Let me say this loud and clear, NEVER, I REPEAT, NEVER TALK POLITICS IN BUSINESS. You just don’t know what someone’s political views are and you run the very real risk of losing a client or potential client if you bring up a controversial topic.   

The other thing that happened was I mentioned that I heard a statistic that there are now more female business owners then male business owners. Somebody in the group said they were probably all home-based businesses and weren’t doing anything to stimulate the economy. Are you kidding me? Did I just hear you correctly? You actually said that in a room full of small business owners and said it directly to a female small business owner? Again, I was insulted and said to myself this is not someone I want to do business with, ever! 

Remember what mom taught us? If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. That guideline has not changed. I would add, if you want to succeed in business be respectful, be professional and avoid heated topics. Enough said.

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