Michael Jordan’s famous quote, “Republicans buy sneakers, too,” hails from an off-the-cuff comment he made in 1990 when asked to publicly support a candidate in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. There is always tremendous pressure for prominent individuals like Jordan to endorse or make statements supporting one candidate or initiative.
At its core, the comment still stands the test of time and is potentially more relevant now than it was in 1990. No single party or side controls the narrative. By excluding conservatives from the conversation, you alienate a significant portion of the country and miss a valuable perspective, diluting your future.
In a time of heightened political tensions, we could all take Jordan’s lesson to heart—and the financial advising community is no exception. Not only is there a fiduciary duty to do right by one’s clients, but there is also the need to be more open to client needs and wishes. It’s their money, after all.
When striving to achieve great things, it is crucial to focus on the shared goals and values that unite people rather than on their differing beliefs. Financial advisors can foster an inclusive environment by recognizing that everyone can contribute positively to society regardless of their political views. This approach promotes open dialogue, empathy, and cooperation, ultimately leading to innovative solutions and meaningful impacts.
Jordan’s words of wisdom emphasize recognizing shared interests and common ground, even amid differing political or ideological views. In the context of working with individuals who see the world differently, Jordan reminds us that collaboration and understanding can transcend these differences.
Biases are inherent to each individual. The key is to apply those biases fairly and consistently across the board. Principles are the same, as is character. We do what we say we are going to do, not just when it suits the situation or when we “like” the other person.
At DonorsTrust, we are transparent about who we are and the clients we serve: individuals who believe in limited government, personal responsibility, and free markets. Because of these core principles, we’ve engaged in challenging conversations with prospective clients who do not share our philosophy. That’s perfectly fine; there are no hard feelings. There should be choice in the marketplace.
For me, the crux of it all boils down to limited government. The idea is that communities can respond more quickly than the sluggish bureaucracy. In rural places, specifically those pesky flyover states like my home state of Kentucky, Section 8 Housing, public transportation, libraries, and a host of other government-funded programs do not exist.
Yet the local church, community-run food pantry, and your neighbors do—salt-of-the-earth people who give even when their resources are scarce. There is great pride and resilience in these parts of the country, filled with people who talk a bit slower and speak with an accent like mine.
Some groups will never accept me because of my views, and that’s perfectly fine; again, there are no hard feelings. That said, the country is changing. The next generation is not as progressive as reported. Family values are back in vogue, and far-left social issues are not as prevalent as the news would suggest.
I’m proud to work for a foundation that deployed nearly $270 million last year to animal shelters, places of worship, and policy institutes, among other groups, to promote choice in education and reduce taxes (we can all agree on keeping more of our own money). Our clients are as generous as they are focused on their philanthropic journey.
The idea that one side is better positioned when it comes to philanthropy is misleading. Advisors need to be receptive to others’ views or at least upfront, like DonorsTrust, if neither set of principles aligns.
Engaging with clients who may not share your values but are passionate about philanthropy is as much art as science.
