UPDATE: CEOs from major firms are now demanding unwavering loyalty from employees regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), artificial intelligence (AI), and remote work, marking a significant shift in workplace culture. This trend, which has gained momentum in recent months, places employees in a position where they must either comply or seek employment elsewhere.
During a recent earnings call, Palantir CEO Alex Karp boldly stated that his company is “the first to be completely anti-woke.” Meanwhile, AT&T CEO John Stankey warned employees to abandon any notions of an “employment deal” based on loyalty, signaling a hardline approach to workplace dynamics. GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke echoed similar sentiments, insisting, “Either you embrace AI, or you get out of your career.”
This rhetoric represents a stark contrast to the previous years when CEOs like Jamie Dimon and David Solomon publicly supported DEI initiatives following the #MeToo movement and the death of George Floyd. As layoffs increase and white-collar workers become more cautious, leaders are leveraging their power to enforce new standards.
Experts suggest this shift is fueled by a sense of control returning to corporate leaders. “It’s all about control,” said Jeff LeBlanc, a management lecturer at Bentley University. “People in leadership positions feel like they finally have the upper hand again.” As CEOs observe their peers adopting tougher stances without repercussions, they are emboldened to follow suit.
The implications are clear: CEOs are free to shape their workforces as they see fit, and employees must either adapt or depart. “Most organizations are not democracies,” noted Jennifer Deal, a senior research scientist at USC’s Marshall School of Business. “If you don’t like it, you need to go somewhere else.”
This trend isn’t confined to tech giants; leaders across industries are demanding alignment with their views on crucial issues like remote work, AI, and political beliefs. Donald Trump set the tone by dismantling DEI initiatives shortly after taking office, and this blunt language is now echoing in corporate corridors.
In his recent earnings call, Karp emphasized Palantir’s support for the Trump administration, stating, “I don’t know why this is all controversial, but many people find it controversial.” He went on to criticize multiculturalism and advocate for meritocracy.
AT&T’s Stankey also made headlines, announcing that remote work would no longer be tolerated and tenure would not influence promotions. “We have consciously shifted towards a more market-based culture,” he stated in a memo to employees.
Other CEOs are also tightening their grip on AI policies. Shopify’s Tobi Lütke mandated that teams must prove their need for more resources instead of utilizing AI first. Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong took it a step further, implementing AI onboarding for engineers and dismissing those who did not comply.
Despite this hardening stance, not all executives are comfortable with the current climate. Many remain cautious, fearing backlash for diverging from the administration’s views. Marin Richardson, CEO of Disrupt PR, explained, “They’re afraid of getting flagged or on a list that would imply they shouldn’t be engaged by the government.”
As the corporate landscape shifts, some CEOs who once presented themselves as politically neutral are now embracing more hardline views. Karp, who previously supported Kamala Harris, now refers to himself as “left of center.” Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, known for liberal advocacy, recently called on Trump to address crime in San Francisco.
Experts caution that these hardline stances may not endure indefinitely. Wayne Cascio, a management professor at University of Colorado Denver, suggests that as the job market improves, workers who feel alienated by their leaders’ rhetoric will seek alternatives. “The pendulum will swing back as it always does,” he stated.
As this landscape evolves, the urgency for employees to reassess their loyalty to their organizations cannot be overstated. With corporate leaders making demands that diverge sharply from previous norms, the next few weeks are likely to see an escalation in tough talk and expectations.
This developing situation is critical for both workers and leaders as it shapes the future of workplace dynamics. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold.