Tayer: Giving thanks for our core values

Maybe it’s just my nature, but I’m all about Thanksgiving. It’s a time to reflect on what we enjoy in our lives. It’s a time to appreciate the contributions that others make to our well-being. And, yes, it’s a time to give thanks for a big turkey (or faux-turkey, as the case may be) feast. 

So why is there such a lump in my throat as I approach this Thanksgiving week?

Last week, the Boulder Chamber hosted its first Leading Change conference in partnership with the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County and the NAACP Boulder County. It was a remarkable gathering, featuring compelling arguments regarding the business benefits of a diverse workforce and a welcoming environment for every staff member. More than ideology and inspiration, our presenters and panelists provided practical tips for achieving diversity, equity and inclusion goals. 

As a backdrop to the conference, though, I quoted this article from Inc. Magazine: “Many corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs have been under fire from conservative opponents for the better part of a year, and a growing number of businesses are scaling them back in an apparent response.” In the face of such disheartening retrenchment, I offered that “DEI values remain core to the Boulder Chamber mission and, even more relevant, to our core values.”

Still, the current wave of political expediency is upon us. One institution noted that they will have to change the name of their DEI programming to avoid becoming a target of threats to federal funding. They hope to stay under the radar in a hostile environment for something that is currently in the crosshairs of those who command the purse strings, regardless of the clear business benefits and moral imperative. 

I hear similar talk from our friends in the climate-protection and clean-energy fields. For good reason, they worry about threats to their research budgets, and so should all of us. The economic impact of that research, including spin-off technology development and business enterprises, runs in the billions of dollars for Colorado, with a significant portion of those funds invested in research and businesses in Boulder. 

Let’s face it, we live in a town that is as blue as it gets on the political front at a time when red blankets our nation, reflecting the balance of control in Washington. Much of our economic vitality also rests on principles that have come under attack in the platitudes of politically heated election rhetoric. The approach we tend to take toward addressing social issues also is confronting new challenges.

Well, hold on. As I said in a recent BizWest story, “There’s a great distance between the political rhetoric and what ultimately is approved through the legislative process and executive decision-making.” There will be consequences of any pendulum swing, such as we may be experiencing now, but it’s also a risky proposition to run too fast in the direction of current political winds. We should also resist straying from the foundation of an economy — one built on core values — that has served us so well.

This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be thoughtful regarding alignment of our work with current national administration goals. While “climate protection” might not be de rigueur these days, there is no question that our economy depends on the projections our climate scientists are making regarding global warming impacts. 

The insurance industry is paying attention. But also consider those who depend on our threatened water systems. Whether in red Arizona or blue California, your pharmaceutical companies, farms and breweries need to know that water will be flowing. 

And then there’s diversity, equity and inclusion. How terrible to consider pulling back from the progress we’ve been fighting to make in addressing systemic racism and injustice in our nation. At the same time, in the words of my good friend and communications consultant AJ Grant, “the goals and sentiments we hope to advance often get lost and cordoned off into fraught vocabulary.” It’s important to remember the fundamental ideal of DEI is about bringing the best and brightest voices and perspectives to the table, regardless of background, and circumstance. Ultimately, Grant notes, it is simply about “caring” for one another. Who can argue with that?

Yes, there is a lump in my throat when I consider possible impacts to Boulder’s economy from the recent leadership change in Washington. In truth, though, we don’t know what is rhetoric and what changes will ultimately settle across the economic landscape. Regardless, I give thanks to the core values that have been the foundation of our success . . . and know our economy and community will weather those changes in the political winds. 

John Tayer is president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 303-442-1044, ext 110 or john.tayer@boulderchamber.com.

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