A warning to CEOs
A crisis of trust is eroding the foundation of corporate America. The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, while tragic, underscores a deeper and more troubling reality: the growing discontent of a public that feels exploited and abandoned. This perception should serve as a stark warning to CEOs, not just in the insurance sector, but across all industries.
For Americans who have come of age in the last two decades, distrust was planted years earlier. The aftermath of the 2008 financial crash made it clear: corporations were bailed out with $700 billion in taxpayer money, but the public was left to suffer the consequences. Millions lost their jobs and homes while CEOs walked away with multimillion-dollar bonuses. This betrayal sparked the Occupy Wall Street movement, giving voice to a growing frustration with systemic inequities and the prioritization of profits over people.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which further eroded trust. At a time when unity and compassion were most needed, corporate America instead widened the gap. Major grocery chains reported record profits, yet many frontline workers were denied hazard pay. In 2021, food prices rose by 6.3%, the largest annual increase in over a decade, while median wages stagnated. Meanwhile, rents across the U.S. increased by an average of 13.5% in the same year. This profiteering during a crisis reinforced the belief that corporations prioritize profits over people, deepening societal divides not just economically, but morally.
The disillusionment hasn’t faded. Instead, it has grown. A generation of Americans has grown up witnessing the excesses and inequities of late-stage capitalism. For many of them, the “American Dream” has become a hollow promise. They’ve seen the disparity grow wider, with CEO pay skyrocketing while at-will employment strips workers of job security. In 2022, the average CEO made 399 times the pay of the median worker. Safety nets are anemic or nonexistent. Corporate loyalty is a thing of the past. And healthcare, a basic human necessity, is debated as if it’s a luxury.
For these Americans—who have only known the harshest edges of capitalism—the system’s unfairness is not an abstract concept; it’s their daily reality. They’ve grown up watching corporations thrive while their own families struggled to make ends meet. Their frustration is palpable, and their demand for systemic change cannot be ignored. Corporate America is woefully unprepared for the reckoning that’s coming.
The murder of Brian Thompson should be a wake-up call. It’s a grim and tragic reminder that the discontent simmering beneath the surface is not going away. CEOs and corporate leaders must take this moment to reflect deeply. Are they perpetuating inequity and ignoring the struggles of the people they serve? Or are they ready to commit to meaningful reform, prioritizing equity and fairness to rebuild their lost trust?
Corporate leaders have an opportunity to rebuild trust by taking bold, tangible steps, such as prioritizing fair wages, advocating for stronger social safety nets, and fostering workplace cultures that value employees as more than expendable resources. Beyond moral imperatives, these actions make good business sense: companies that invest in their workers consistently see higher productivity, lower turnover rates, and stronger brand loyalty. The clock is ticking.
The choice is clear: adapt to the growing demands for equity and fairness, or face the inevitable consequences of ignoring a society pushed to its breaking point.