What should a good leader do when faced with a spokesperson who has been untruthful? I’m referring of course to the news that Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers star quarterback and State Farm spokesperson, tested positive for Covid 19 after lying about being vaccinated, and State Farm’s subsequent lackluster messaging in regards to this PR nightmare.
I've been a Green Bay Packers fan for 50 years, went to school in Wisconsin, and lived through the harsh winters of numerous losing seasons. But I'm dropping the Packers as my favorite football team, which is what State Farm should do with their spokesperson, Aaron Rodgers. Here’s why and how it applies to you.
Rodgers deceived people by implying he was vaccinated months ago. He was not. Then he and the entire Packer organization perpetuated this lie by allowing him to violate NFL Covid protocols by not wearing a mask. And last week Rodgers tested positive for Covid 19. A physician who treats Covid patients once told me that because of the incubation period, everyone who gets Covid, regardless of their symptoms, doesn’t know they have it for 2-14 days. Will we ever know how many State Farm customers were infected or will die because Rodgers, an unvaccinated player, exposed so many players, coaches, staff, and fans to his virus for months? I thought the mission of State Farm was to help people manage the risks of everyday life, not put people at risk.
Thus far, the corporate messages put out by State Farm have had one major flaw. State Farms says that everyone has a right to their own opinions and choices. I say this isn’t true when those opinions and choices directly affect (infect) the health and safety of so many.
As a professional speaker and leadership coach, I urge State Farm to act on the values they say they believe in. Isn’t it time to show that honesty matters by dropping Rodgers as their spokesperson? State Farm customers, including myself, are waiting to see what they do next… as we consider dropping State Farm as our insurance company. I would love to be able point to State Farm while speaking to my clients and audiences and say, “Here’s a big insurance company that chose principles over profits and gained loyal customers because of it.”
THAT is being a good neighbor.