One of the hardest things in life is to take your own advice.
This is especially true in sensitive situations that can impact your reputation.
We always give clients the same advice: Don’t let anger and haste define what you do. Stop. Take a deep breath. Consider how the next words out of your mouth or any action you take will set the tone for everything that follows.
Recently, I faced a personal and professional challenge that broke my heart.
At a business event, I was advocating that attorneys are nice people and that I enjoy working with them. One of the listeners (who had a less generous opinion of lawyers) blurted out:
“I know it’s International Women’s Day, but the only reason they are nice or listen to you is because you’re attractive.”
Really?!?
It was difficult to fight back my urge to say something snarky, but I had to take my own advice. I stopped. I took a DEEP breath. I analyzed how my reaction would set the stage.
When considering going astray, people are creative at imagining excuses:
- I’m not important enough to matter. (Flip side: I’m too important to get in trouble.)
- No one will notice a few suspicious entries in the books.
- This way is so much easier or costs a lot less.
- They’ll understand it was meant to be a joke.
- It’s only one more drink.
Our bodies are wired to send us signals to keep us out of trouble. It’s a survival instinct. By ignoring those warnings, you put yourself in the path of danger.
MORAL: Listen to your gut. Realize something’s wrong if a voice is whispering “I know I shouldn’t say this, but…” or “I know I shouldn’t do this, but…” Resist the urge. Think about the consequences. The way you treat others reflects on how you do business and whether others will want to do business with you in the future.
This exercise may seem challenging in the heat of the moment. But that pause will pay off in the long run.
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You can reach Roger Gillott and Eden Gillott directly at 310-396-8696.
Check out A Board Member’s Guide to Crisis PR and A Lawyer’s Guide to Crisis PR (Second Edition) on Amazon.
Gillott Communications is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm that specializes in high-stakes Crisis & Reputation Management with more than 50 years of expertise in strategic communications, corporate public relations, and working with the media.
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