American CEO says viral memo asking staff to WFO 5 days a week wasn’t wrong, admits delay in company culture overhaul

Published on: Dec 16, 2025 01:08 pm Asked to reflect on makes, Stankey admitted he had been too slow in prioritising the necessary cultural changes. AT&T CEO John Stankey has acknowledged missteps in addressing the company’s culture, offering fresh insight into a memo to employees that went viral earlier this year. The memo, outlined AT&T’s move towards a “more market-based culture.” (Pixa) The memo, outlined AT&T’s move towards a “more market-based culture,” prompting discussion about workplace loyalty and expectations. Stankey explained the reasoning behind the message during the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit, as per a report Business Insider. Also read|