Corporations and politics have two very interesting common characteristics. They are both systems that help organize real people within business and government. And they are both completely imaginary systems made up in our collective minds.

As companies prepare for the most charged election in a generation the question most leaders are asking of themselves and one another is – where do we stand?

Particularly in the more liberal leaning startups of the California persuasion, employees want to know their fictitious corporate overlord’s perspective. The media has amplified stories across the ecosystem:

Organizations and their leaders are all over the spectrum and on opposite poles as we race toward Nov 3rd. At Expensify and Coinbase you know where the chiefs, and therefore their organizations, stand on politics. This practice is as old as time too. The internet just amplifies it. For example, in past elections executives have been known to issue internal memos to employees that if the “other candidate” wins there will be job cuts…so vote accordingly.

Corporations, in the eyes of the law, have many of the same characteristics of people. For 21st century business companies are directionally inheriting more of the personal characteristics and political leanings of their stakeholders. Customers almost demand it.

The two examples highlighted above are not necessarily Options A & B, but instead a prompt in your organization to have some thought given to positioning. Ahead of a seminal election, which feels pivotal in the history of our country, how are you preparing your team?

It feels like there are three general directions to steer the ship:

1.) Let it flow: the most popular position, let’s be real. Just stand aside and try not to enter any rooms with sharp objects. Don’t step on any landmines. Delay major announcements and decisions until later in November. Choose not to play the game. It has its merits

2.) Taking a strong stand: this gets the most impressions. It’s sexy! It could galvanize the troops. There is an element of empowerment to putting a company behind politics. It does hold the risk of alienating some. Or a majority

3.) Support the process: endorse the process of elections that underpin our democracy. Encourage team members to research issues and vote. Most importantly, resist the urge to give opinions on specific issues in this direction

Two of those options seem to be two way doors. Taking a strong stand could be a one way door, at least in the context of one news cycle. The types of decisions, especially in an unfamiliar fictional contest like politics, are essential to understand when standing at the controls.

People will remember this election season so consider seriously an intentional direction. Consider a stance that brings a team together. Company and political institutions depend on strong bounds and courageous choices in order to endure. After all “a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Could just as easily substitute nation for team in that quote. And look up who said that one. They’re legit.

Two way doors are useful, especially in uncertain times. Make sure you vote as a real life individual on (or by) Nov 3rd. May we all survive this November tempest together..