A Bureau member brought up a challenge this week that I can't stop thinking about:

“We’re seeing government contracts with provisions that go against everything we stand for. We need the work. But we’d be violating our values if we signed.”

That dilemma has been haunting me. Both because it’s a tough choice and because it’s something many of us are dealing with right now.

I think they should take the job. Why? Oh I'll tell you! Keep reading...

Does Signing Make You Complicit?

Provisions that go against the core values of many agencies are showing up in contracts all over America. For some, walking away feels like the only ethical choice. And if you're in a healthy financial position I agree. But for others, the ethical choice might be taking the work anyway so you can live on and keep fighting tomorrow.

Here are five reasons why that’s not just justifiable, it might be the most strategic move you can make. 

  1. Survival gives you a platform.
    If you close your doors, you can’t fight. That contract might be the thing that keeps the lights on and your people employed. You don’t have to believe in the client’s worldview but you do have to believe in your own long enough to keep it alive.
    What to say to the team:
    “We’re taking this work to protect the future of this company and the people in it. That doesn’t mean we agree with the terms, we don’t. It means we’re choosing to endure so we can keep pushing for what we believe in.” 

  2. Take their money, fund your values.
    You can direct a cut of that revenue, 5%, 10%, 20%, to causes that align with your values. That’s turning their budget into your fuel.
    What to say to the team:
    “We’re allocating a percentage of this project’s profit to support organizations fighting for the things we stand for. We’re making sure this move funds the fight, not the silence.”

  3. Strategy beats purity.
    Sometimes you lose a battle to win the war. If you pass on every deal that doesn’t align 100%, you risk losing your voice. Influence comes from staying in the room.

    What to say to the team:
    “This isn’t about abandoning what we believe. It’s about choosing a strategy that lets us keep having influence. Because the only alternative is stepping out of the conversation entirely.”

  4. Show your values through action, not contracts.
    You don’t need a clause in a contract to treat people with respect or create a culture of inclusion. Let your actions speak louder than your business deals.

    What to say to the team:
    “The language in this contract doesn’t reflect who we are, but it won’t change how we treat each other, our partners, or the public. Our values don’t live in legal terms, they live in what we do every day.”

  5. You’re protecting your people.
    Sometimes taking the work means making sure your team still has healthcare. Or bonuses. Or salaries. That is values-driven leadership, even if it feels a little gross.

    What to say to the team:
    “This decision protects jobs. It protects families. We’re doing this to make sure everyone here has what they need. And if that makes us look like we’re complicit, so be it. We’re owning it because we know we’re not.”

This isn't easy. But you aren't alone. Please reach out if you need someone to talk with about your situation.

None of this is easy. And none of it feels good. But leadership rarely comes with easy to follow instructions. What matters is that you make the decision with intention, communicate it with clarity, and keep showing your team (and yourself) who you are through your actions. If you choose to take the work, take it on your terms. Fund your beliefs. Protect your people. And don’t let anyone else define what integrity looks like for you.

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