Hypocrisy Is Alive and Well

It’s safe to assume that Don Imus and Steve Heyer aren’t exactly best friends. Imus, known for his controversial comments, needs little introduction, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week. Steve Heyer, on the other hand, is the former CEO of Starwood Hotels, who recently resigned after an anonymous letter accused him of inappropriate behavior with female employees.

What makes these two worth discussing in a leadership context?

Institutions that rely heavily on money—such as boards and advertisers—often come across as hypocritical when controversy strikes. The typical response is outrage first, action second. However, the action almost always exceeds the actual wrongdoing, especially when the institution is caught playing both sides.

Imus, who generated $50 million in revenue for NBC and CBS radio, saw his career threatened by a single, major mistake. Despite the severity of his actions, it’s clear that money comes first and principle comes second. The way the media storm erupted, you’d think Imus himself had committed an unforgivable act. This isn’t to defend what Imus said—it was wrong—but the hypocrisy lies in how advertisers, who benefited from years of his often offensive commentary, are now abandoning him over a single misstep.

In the corporate world, we see a similar dynamic with Steve Heyer’s departure. Heyer, known for being hard-charging and controversial, was ousted after an anonymous letter accused him of misconduct. Whether he chose to resign or was forced out doesn’t really matter—the perception was that he was guilty, and out he went.

Here’s the question: Why would the board hire someone with a history of controversy in their previous jobs and then act surprised when more issues arise? The answer is simple: in the “war for talent,” companies will do anything to secure high performers who can deliver higher returns, which Heyer did. Once again, it’s greed over principle.

Imus and Heyer are just two examples of a broader trend, one that’s more of a constant than a fleeting issue. Unfortunately, this cycle of hypocrisy remains something few are willing to confront or accept.