Social Activist CEOs and Their Duties to Shareholders

The extent of Salesforce’s corporate success is an important factor here. Benioff’s activism would look very different to Salesforce’s shareholders if the company were struggling. Maybe this is just another example of the way that successful executives feel entitled to sound off. His company’s success may indeed give Benioff a “bully pulpit.” However, the shareholders who are unconcerned when the company is very successful might object if the company stumbled.