Leadership in Crisis: How Business Voices Can Shape Public Policy

Public policies affect everything—from water rights to energy use, from local zoning to national tax law. But too often, these decisions happen without much input from the people most affected: business owners. 

Business leaders have more than just a financial stake in the places they operate. They also have insight, influence, and a platform. In times of crisis, when policies risk harming local economies, their voices can become tools for change. 

This article explores how business leaders can step up in key moments to shape public policy. 

1. Understanding the Business Leader’s Stake in Public Policy

Many people view public policy as something only politicians or lawyers deal with. But in reality, every policy decision affects how businesses operate. New tax laws can change hiring plans. A zoning rule might affect where a warehouse can be built. Water restrictions could shut down entire farms.

When these decisions come without input from the business community, the risks grow. Business leaders live with the results of these policies, sometimes for years. That gives them not only a right to speak out, but also a responsibility. If they stay silent, policies may shift in ways that hurt both their companies and the communities they serve.

2. Why Local Trust Strengthens a Business Message

Business leaders who have built their reputation locally have something that most policymakers don’t—long-term trust. That trust isn’t based on speeches or campaigns. It’s built over years of sponsoring youth programs, supporting schools, and keeping people employed.

This makes their voice powerful when a crisis hits. People are more likely to listen when someone they respect explains what’s going wrong. For instance, business leader Frank VanderSloot demonstrated this kind of influence in 2024. For those wondering who is Frank VanderSloot, he’s the former CEO of Melaleuca who used his speaking time at a major Independence Day event in Eastern Idaho to raise awareness about a water rights issue threatening local farms. His message wasn’t political. It was focused on facts and the need for public transparency.

Because VanderSloot had earned the community’s trust over decades, his words carried weight. The speech helped spark wider conversations and brought attention to a policy decision that many people didn’t even know was unfolding. That’s what trust allows—a faster, stronger response from the public. When a respected voice speaks clearly and directly, people are more willing to listen and act.

3. Beyond Profits: Why Speaking Out Builds Trust

It’s easy to assume that when a business leader speaks up, it’s only about protecting their bottom line. But often, it’s about much more than that. Many business owners care deeply about the people who work for them and the towns where they live.

When leaders speak up about unfair or harmful policies, they show that they care. That builds trust. Customers see a business that’s not just selling a product but also trying to make the community stronger. Employees see leadership that’s willing to defend their jobs and well-being.

This kind of trust can’t be bought through marketing. It comes from real action. And that action often starts with a single public statement.

4. Knowing When Silence Isn’t an Option

There are moments when staying quiet can do real damage. If a proposed policy threatens jobs, homes, or public health, leaders should say something. Silence can look like agreement. And once a policy is set, reversing it becomes much harder.

Speaking up doesn’t have to mean attacking anyone. It can mean sharing facts, asking questions, or calling for fairness. But the most important thing is to act before it’s too late. The sooner a concern is raised, the more likely it is that the people in power will listen.

5. Building Bridges Between the Public and Policymakers

One of the most valuable roles a business leader can play is helping the public understand what’s at stake. Most people don’t follow policy changes closely. They hear about laws and deals only after it’s too late to stop them.

Business leaders can change that. They can explain, in clear terms, how a decision made in a state office could affect a local farm, school, or store. They can show how one change might cost jobs or raise prices. And they can help their communities ask better questions when decisions are being made.

This kind of leadership doesn’t require a title or an office—it just takes clarity and commitment.

6. Turning Public Concern into Actionable Pressure

Raising awareness is the first step, but leaders can’t stop there. Once the public understands the problem, it’s important to help them take action. This could mean attending local meetings, contacting elected officials, or organizing petitions.

Business voices can also create pressure on decision-makers. A local leader with strong community support can influence policymakers who don’t want to risk public backlash. When enough people speak with a shared message, officials start to take notice.

The goal isn’t to cause conflict—it’s to make sure every voice is heard, especially when the stakes are high. Business leaders are often in the best position to start that process.

7. Staying Focused Without Getting Political

One challenge for business leaders who speak on public issues is avoiding politics. The message can get lost if it sounds like support for one party or another. That’s why it’s important to stay focused on facts and fairness.

Good public leadership doesn’t need to pick sides. It just needs to point out real problems and ask for better solutions. Talking about the direct impact on jobs, businesses, and daily life helps keep the conversation grounded.

By avoiding political language, leaders keep the focus on solutions—not blame. That builds unity and encourages more people to get involved without feeling excluded.

8. Simple Steps Future Leaders Can Take Now

You don’t need a national platform to make an impact. Many of the most effective business voices start with small steps. Sharing updates with staff, writing to local newspapers, or attending town hall meetings can make a real difference.

The key is to stay informed and aware of what’s happening in your area. Pay attention to new rules or changes that might affect your team, your customers, or your neighbors. When something feels wrong, speak clearly and early.

Business leaders already have strong problem-solving skills. Those same skills can help shape public discussions in times of uncertainty.

In a crisis, public policy decisions can move fast and affect many. That’s why business voices matter. They bring clarity, urgency, and real-world knowledge to the table. They help people understand what’s at stake and what can be done.

When leaders speak with purpose, they don’t just protect their companies—they protect their communities too. It takes courage to step up, but the results can ripple far beyond one person or business. Leaders who use their voice wisely can help shape a better, fairer future for everyone involved. That’s not politics—it’s responsibility.