F-Bombs Tolerated in Recession Cause CEOs Trouble in Recovery
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The chief executive officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. is no stranger to profanity in his calls with analysts. On May 5, James Hagedorn did something different: After swearing, he apologized.
Bad words have been much in the news recently, with both the mayor of Los Angeles and the CEO of T-Mobile US Inc. using what has become known as the F-bomb. For those who think the increasing use of profanity in public is another sign that the world is going to heck in a handbasket, however, here’s the good news: For executives, tolerance of potty talk is on the wane and their public swearing is on the downswing.