Everything Is Public Now: How One Weekend Baseball Game Turned Into a Business Lesson on Behavior, Branding, and Boundaries
There’s a saying in business: culture is what happens when no one’s watching. And in 2025, someone is always watching.
What we do, say, post, or wear, especially when tied to a brand, has more visibility and more consequence than ever before. I was reminded of this in the most unexpected place: a youth baseball tournament.
The Game That Wasn’t About Baseball
We were out of state. My son’s team had already lost the first two games. Parents were tired. Kids were rowdy. It was an early morning consolation game, the kind of “you’re guaranteed three games” situation where everyone just wanted to play and go home.
And then things got ugly.
The opposing team had just enough players to compete. Their coach was ejected after aggressively arguing with umpires. A player cursed loudly and was removed from the game. That meant their team didn’t have enough players to field a team and they had to operate with 1 man down in the outfield. But the real story was unfolding in the stands; yelling, homophobic slurs, confrontation between parents.
It was embarrassing. And unsettling.
And the insight hit me when a fellow parent said: “You should email their organization. They probably don’t know how badly they’re being represented.”
Your Brand Is Showing—Whether You Like It or Not
And that’s the thing: someone always represents you. Your employees. Your subcontractors. Your coaches, stylists, assistants, and vendors. Their behavior, good or bad, becomes an extension of your business.
We often think, “Well, what they do on the weekend is their business.” But is it?
What if they’re wearing your logo?
What if their LinkedIn or Instagram bio mentions you?
What if a video goes viral, and someone Googles where they work?
Now it’s your reputation. Your values. Your problem.
Business Owners: It’s Time to Tighten the Reins
If you run a business and you don’t have a social media policy or a clear code of conduct for public behavior, you’re leaving the door wide open for brand damage.
You need to:
Define how your team represents your brand, on and off the clock
Outline expectations when company swag is worn or posted
Set rules around public-facing commentary (especially in this political climate)
Regularly revisit and re-communicate your core values
Create written policies that protect you and your team
Employees: Know the Rules Before You Speak
If you’re employed, here’s your homework: read the handbook. That 30-page PDF you signed on Day 1? Go find it.
You might be surprised by what’s actually prohibited. Especially on social media. Especially if your accounts are public. Especially if you post while on company time or using company equipment.
Even more surprising? You can get reported anonymously. Sometimes by someone in your circle. Sometimes by a stranger who saw your content.
We live in a world where people get fired based on screenshots.
So What Can You Do?
Business Owners:
Be proactive, not reactive. Write the policy. Communicate it clearly. Check in regularly. Your brand is a living, breathing entity—don’t hand the wheel to someone who doesn’t know where you’re going.Employees:
If you're passionate about advocacy or causes, you can still speak up. But check the policy. Ask for permission if needed. And lead with education, not emotion.Everyone:
Ask yourself, “Would I be okay if this post, comment, or behavior ended up on the front page?” If not, don’t do it.
This Isn’t About Silence. It’s About Strategy.
I’m not suggesting you shrink or hide. In fact, I believe in encouraging bravery, one of my core values. I speak out about issues I care deeply about: women’s rights, domestic violence, and gun safety to name a few, because I’ve lived them.
But I’ve also learned how to do so without putting my business, my clients, or my team at risk. And that’s what I want for you too.
This moment isn’t just about policies or handbooks. It’s about remembering that your personal brand is always showing.
So the question is: what do you want it to say?
