The Hat Snatcher CEO: When Image Outpaces Integrity
It’s time to stop admiring hat-snatchers and start demanding hat-givers.
When CEOs Preach Equity but Practice Exclusivity
At this year’s US Tennis Open, a feel-good moment turned sour. Polish player Kamil Majchrzak tried to gift his hat to a young fan. A nearby CEO, Piotr Szczerek — a man who has branded himself as a champion of children’s tennis — snatched it instead. The video went viral.
The problem wasn’t just the theft of a hat. It was the theft of an image. Szczerek built his reputation on supporting youth sports. But in the split-second grab, the mask slipped. What we saw was not benevolence but the raw reflex of prestige-seeking.
The Prestige Game CEOs Play
This isn’t about one CEO. It’s about a pattern.
They fund scholarships, sponsor programs, and deliver keynotes about “giving back.”
They issue statements about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
They polish their reputations until they shine.
And then? They retreat to gated neighborhoods, social circles, and private enclaves where the values they preach rarely apply. They love the language of equity — so long as it doesn’t touch their property values.
It’s hypocrisy dressed up as leadership. And people are tired of it.
One Thing You Can Do
Here’s a simple move: go to Glassdoor today.
If your CEO won’t shut up about DEI, ask the question no press release can spin:
"Why does our CEO talk so much about diversity, equity, and inclusion while choosing to live in a neighborhood that promotes the opposite?"
Copy. Paste. Post. Because accountability doesn’t come from polished apologies — it comes from uncomfortable questions.
Hat-Snatchers vs. Hat-Givers
Szczerek’s mistake wasn’t unique. It was just caught on camera. But it crystallized something we all know: too many leaders want the applause of benevolence without the burden of integrity.
It’s time to stop admiring hat-snatchers and start demanding hat-givers.
Finally, I have no doubt there are CEOs who embody genuine benevolence in both word and deed. If you know of such a leader, share their name in the comments — I’d love to highlight them in a future post.