Big Brother

Eduardo Del Buey
Foto: Tomada de la web
La Jornada Maya

Martes 30 de agosto, 2016

No matter where we are, no matter what we do, someone is watching.

On August 22nd the [i]Daily Mail[/i] in the United Kingdom published photos of Usain Bolt in bed in Rio de Janeiro with a lovely Brazilian lady. She had apparently taken the selfie and posted it on-line. Given Bolt’s popularity, it went viral in an instant. Bolt now has some serious explaining to do to his fiancée, who was nowhere near the bed in question.

Days before, US swimming star Ryan Lochte claimed he and his friends had been robbed at gunpoint by Brazilian police at a Rio gas station while returning to the Olympic village from a party. Subsequently, street security cameras showed that he and his friends had actually broken down a door at the gas station, and the police in question were security employees of the gas station demanding that Lochte and his friends pay for the damage they had caused before leaving.

Caught in the lie, Lochte subsequently apologized to the people of Brazil. His explanations did not save his skin. At the time of writing, both Speedo and Ralph Lauren have cancelled lucrative sponsorship contracts with the swimmer, and he stands to lose millions of dollars. As well, the International Olympic Committee is planning to take disciplinary action against Lochte and his cohorts which may well lead to either a temporary or permanent ban. Meanwhile, his gold is tarnished and his reputation is in tatters. His market value has plunged and shows no sign of ever recovering.
Cameras and witnesses are everywhere. And whether in the hands of an erstwhile lover, or on an anonymous street, we must today assume that everything we do or say is being recorded by someone somewhere – either physically or in witnesses’ memories. Anyone with a smart phone can embarrass you, create havoc with your reputation, and cost you emotionally or financially, or both. Any witness can give or sell your story to your adversaries with bad consequences.

No great communications expert can explain away a lapse in judgment that is recorded and goes viral. No communications strategy can recover a reputation tarnished by an incriminating video or audio recording of a major indiscretion.

If you are a public figure, and value your reputation, just remember the Hippocratic Oath – first do no harm. Do nothing that can come back to haunt you.

If you can’t control you urges (whatever they may be), don’t go into public life. If you are in public life, review closely past deeds with your communications advisors to ensure that there is nothing there that could cause you problems. If there is, ensure you bring it out into the open yourself and control the conversation.
I recall that in 2013 Canadian Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau told Canadians he had smoked marijuana while sitting as a Member of Parliament. In many countries this would signal the end of a political career.

Yet in Canada, it became a watershed moment in the ongoing debate about the legalization of marijuana. This was a major strategic coup for Trudeau, and underscores the power of a good communications strategy.

Had he kept his secret, there is little doubt his political opponents would have found out anyway and made this a central issue during the 2015 general elections, portraying the young Canadian leader as unfit for office.

By taking the bull by the horns, Trudeau ensured that he was seen as a credible leader who takes full responsibility for his actions. He also demonstrated skill in controlling both the message and the ensuing public debate, shifting the argument from that of a politician who has dabbled in soft drugs to the need to address a societal challenge in a positive and forward-looking manner.

He went far ahead of the story, controlled the narrative, and went on to win a large majority in 2015 and is now Prime Minister.

Was someone watching? Perhaps not, but there probably were witnesses who could have gone public at any time.

If you have made mistakes, don’t lie or obfuscate. Don’t let your opponents control the conversation. Do it yourself.

The public will accept a human failing, but not being lied to.

The truth comes out sooner or later, cameras or no cameras! Be ready to deal with the fallout.

As Thomas Paine once wrote, “Character is much easier kept than recovered”.

Don’t lose yours!

[b]Mérida, Yucatán[/b]
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