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Do Politics Belong in Business? Why Values Can’t Stay Private

February 04, 2026 • Melissa Franks

Do politics belong in business or is that the wrong question entirely?

In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks reframes the conversation away from parties, candidates, and debate, and toward what actually matters: values, integrity, and alignment.

As political and social issues increasingly collide with the workplace, many business owners believe staying silent is the safest move. But silence isn’t neutral. When businesses claim strong values internally while avoiding public alignment, they create an authenticity gap that erodes trust with employees, customers, and the market.

Melissa breaks down why values can’t stay private, how performative neutrality damages brands, and what thoughtful, values-led leadership actually looks like. This episode offers practical filters to help leaders decide when to speak, when to wait, and how to respond without falling into reactive or performative activism.

This isn’t about being political.

It’s about being credible.

The goal isn’t to be liked, it’s to be aligned, authentic, and real.

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