Last fall I participated in a panel discussion on the role of business in society hosted by Bentley University and Gallup. I shared how the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has witnessed firsthand the power of business in driving positive change. Their newest data confirms this impact: 63% of Americans see business as having a positive impact on people's lives.
This reinforces what we have long known – even as trust in other institutions declines, business continues to hold a unique position in addressing societal challenges.
As someone who has spent over a decade at the U.S. Chamber Foundation leading our corporate citizenship initiatives, I’ve seen companies of all sizes face complex decisions when figuring out how to engage on issues facing communities. The question isn't whether to engage – it's how to do so effectively and authentically to create lasting solutions for communities.
Navigating Today’s Landscape
Here's how business leaders can navigate this increasingly complex landscape:
Develop a clear framework for engagement. Tom Wilson, CEO of Allstate and chairman of the U.S. Chamber Foundation board, offers an excellent model: before taking any stance, Allstate asks four crucial questions: Will this help us do a better job serving our customers? Do we know anything about the issue? Can we actually affect change? What is the impact on employees and the company’s reputation?
This systematic approach helps companies make consistent, principled decisions about when and how to engage.
Align with your core competencies. What unique capabilities, expertise, or resources can your organization bring to bear on an issue? T-Mobile exemplifies this approach—harnessing its telecommunications expertise to create the world's first network slice for first responders called T-Priority, increasing their connectivity during times of crisis. Just last month, the company partnered with Starlink to enable their direct-to-device (D2D) service over areas impacted by the Southern California wildfires to allow for emergency SMS texting. Much like how a logistics company might excel at disaster response supply chains, T-Mobile applies their network restoration capabilities and data resources to serve critical community needs.
Listen to your stakeholders – but prioritize those closest to your mission. Your employees, customers, and local communities should guide your focus. For example, our survey showed that a majority of Americans (82%) believe businesses can play an important role in helping bring people together, such as by advancing civic participation. Companies like Travelers have created programs to empower their employees to engage in civics.
Build partnerships with trust at the core. One lesson I've learned repeatedly: companies don't need to go it alone. Work with trusted nonprofit partners, industry associations, and community organizations. These partnerships not only amplify impact but also provide credibility and expertise. At the U.S. Chamber Foundation, we've seen how collaborative approaches can mobilize resources more effectively than individual efforts. This is especially true when it comes to disasters. It’s important to partner with local organizations on the ground who are closest to the situation and know best what’s needed where.
Focus on measurable impact. While public positions on issues may grab headlines, what really matters is concrete action and results. Being transparent and clearly communicating your goals, actions, and results is a great way to build trust. The most important first step in this is to define measurable objectives that align with your mission and values. Lean on data-driven metrics to track your progress and illustrate your achievements through transparent reporting and storytelling where possible. Share real stories behind the data—highlighting the lives improved, the partnerships formed, or the innovations developed—to demonstrate the tangible value of your efforts.
As society faces increasingly complex challenges, the role of business has never been more important. By focusing on authentic engagement aligned with your capabilities and stakeholder needs, businesses can continue to be a force for good while maintaining public trust.
About the authors
