If you want to earn a bonus, you need to hit your numbers. That was the underlying message from MillerKnoll Chief Executive Officer Andi Owen in a company-wide video call a few weeks ago. Harmless right?
But a partial clip that the company said was taken out of context and posted on Twitter continues to cause headaches for MillerKnoll and the embattled leader of the iconic design company.
The Twitter post leaves out the majority of the online townhall meeting held in March, instead focusing on Owen strongly challenging employees to work toward MillerKnoll’s sales goal. As of this writing, the Twitter post has been viewed more than 10 million times and was featured on Fortune, CBS News and a number of other mainstream and online news channels.
In a statement to officeinsight, the company said: “Last month we held a 75-minute company meeting where we shared business updates, product launches and campaigns. A 90-second clip from that internal meeting loses the context of the broader discussion. Our CEO believes fiercely in the company and what we can do together to finish our financial year strong.”
MillerKnoll bonuses are set by the company’s full year financial results and its fiscal year closes at the end of May. No bonuses, for anyone at MillerKnoll, have been decided, an important fact that most media outlets reporting the story left out.
At the end of the townhall meeting, Owen was asked: “While things are tough right now, how can we help our teams stay motivated?” Instead of answering that question directly, Owen responded to other questions she had been hearing related to motivation and bonuses.
She explained that good customer service and treating each other with kindness and respect was key. Her tone shifted as she continued to speak. She said: “Don’t ask about what are we going to do if we don’t get a bonus. Get the damn $26 million. Spend your time and your effort thinking about the $26 million we need and not thinking about what you’re going to do if we don’t get a bonus.”
Outrage on the Internet also is focusing on a comment she made about staying motivated. “I had an old boss who said to me one time you can visit pity city, but you can’t live there. So people, leave pity city, let’s get it done.”
The original tweet with the partial video clip included an erroneous comment about canceling bonuses for other employees but taking a “$6.4 million bonus herself.” According to MillerKnoll documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Owen last year received a salary of $1.1 million, a performance bonus of $1.29 million and stock awards of $1.4 million. Bonuses were also paid to employees last year. The compensation package was approved by the company’s board of directors.
Responding to the controversy over the comments, Owen wrote an email to employees that said: “I want to be transparent and empathetic, and as I continue to reflect on this instance, I feel terrible that my rallying cry seemed insensitive. What I’d hoped would energize the team to meet a challenge we’ve met many times before landed in a way that I did not intend and for that I am sorry.”
She added: “Nothing will lessen the power and strength of our collective team. My appreciation for each of you is huge and I will continue to do everything I can to help us meet our shared goals. Thank you for your hard work, your grace, and for the commitment you show to one another and our company every single day.”