BetterUp decided to exclude Prince Harry from the live stream of the mental health Summit out of concern for potential backlash, fearing he might face criticism from the audience.
Despite being listed as a speaker, the Duke of Sussex was conspicuously absent from the online event. Attendees, who paid £1,300 for in-person access, were left wondering about his whereabouts. Later, it was revealed that Prince Harry participated in a session focused on managing contemporary pressures and corporate challenges.
This revelation came through a post shared on his website, sussex.edu. Alongside him was Mindy Carling, known for her role in "The Office," contributing to the discussion. Prince Harry, dressed casually in dark jeans and an unbuttoned white shirt under a gray blazer, joined the panel alongside Dr. Adam Grant, Chairman of BetterUp's Center for Purpose and Performance, and Kelly Jones, Chief People Officer at Cisco.
The decision to exclude Prince Harry from the live stream stemmed from concerns about potential public backlash, particularly given his limited knowledge of workplace burnout. Despite his status as Chief Impact Officer, his presence might have sparked controversy, especially as he addressed issues of corporate stress.
Prince Harry's involvement with BetterUp stems from his previous appearances, including one on his wife Meghan Markle's Spotify podcast series "Archetypes," which aired until June of the previous year. At the Summit, Prince Harry participated in a session titled "Beyond Burnout," alongside Dr. Adam Grant and Kelly Jones, delving into the psychological toll of navigating uncertainty in leadership roles. However, no video footage of the session has been released.
Criticism of Prince Harry and BetterUp's decision was swift and sharp. Many questioned Prince Harry's qualifications to speak on corporate stress, given his privileged upbringing and limited professional experience. Some argued that his involvement was merely a ploy for self-promotion and monetary gain, rather than offering genuine insights into managing workplace challenges. Critics also pointed to Prince Harry's past behavior, including reports of berating staff, as evidence that he may not be suited to advise senior management on stress management.
Despite the backlash, Prince Harry's involvement with BetterUp continues, raising questions about the value his association brings to the organization. Critics argue that Prince Harry's privileged background and lack of firsthand experience with workplace stress make him an unsuitable spokesperson for such issues. Additionally, his history of controversial behavior and his reliance on his royal titles to attract attention further erode his credibility as a mental health advocate.
